Postnatal Tips

Perineal douche with Lavender water or salt water every time you use the toilet, at least 4 x daily for a week after the birth of your baby
Shower is preferred to bathing, no soap or other cleansing agents to be used for the perineal area.
Cord care as shown by the Midwife (Wound and graze powder) 4x daily until cord comes off, then 2x daily for another 2 days. If redness presents around the cord area, this is a sign of infection, don’t panic, and call your midwife.
Daily dose of Schlehen Elixir, Biostrath or other tonic and iron supplements when advised.
Continue taking your vitamin, calcium, omegas and pro-biotics, whilst you are breast feeding.

Breastfeeding

Demand feed.
Feed baby on one breast per feed and then use the other breast for the next feed until your milk comes in.
Ensure that baby does not sleep for longer than 6 hours for the first 2 days. This will keep the glucose levels up, prevent jaundice and ensure that your milk comes in.
After day 2 demand feed your baby and after about 4 weeks you can start stretching babies feeding times to get into a better routine ,if babe has not yet established his or her own.
If baby wakes up crying, pick him or her up and soothe first rather than giving the breast right away, this helps baby to learn that when he or she is unhappy they get love first and then food.
At this stage your baby will be feeding 2 to 4 hourly.
Should baby have a day or two where he feeds more often than normal, he is probably having a growth spree and will settle back into his routine.
Colostrum and breast milk are all your baby needs!!!!
Try to drink 3 liters a day, if you drink every time babe does, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Try to spend as much time without your feeding bra as possible.
Cleanse your breasts with H2O (or your own milk) before and after feeding.

Cramps are very common in the first weeks as your baby is trying to get used to feeding and his or her tummy and intestines are still learning what it is that they are supposed to be doing. Stay calm, try the different ways of soothing your baby and remember stay calm. Stick with one remedy if you must use one, rather than change all the time.

Baby

Considering the amount of new pollen’s, dusts etc.. your little one needs to adapt to, it is quite normal for babe to sneeze and even have a bit of a blocked nose (boil and cool some water and allow one drop to role off your finger into each nostril. Babe really has a lot to adapt to.
Babies first pooh after birth is very sticky and black, this is called Meconium and is normal, it will settle within a day or 2
Take baby outside 30 min. 2 or 3 times a day (early morning/evening sun),from day 1. Ensure that baby is not in the direct strong sunlight and out of the wind. Doing this will reduce the risk of jaundice.
Babies cannot regulate their temperatures properly, so it is very important to keep him or her warm, do not bath your baby more than once or twice weekly for the 1st month, using only water and a bit of natural oil in the water. Also do not over heat the baby.
It is quite common for your baby to have swollen nipples, or discharge from the vaginal area after birth; this is as a result of hormonal surplus and regulates itself. Best not to cleanse vigorously or squeeze .
A “Newborn “rash is also quite common and can be quite severe, should this however be accompanied by a fever or in any way unsettle you as a parent please contact your midwife or doctor.

ENJOY your baby, he, she is really quite strong, very cute and changing very quickly. By just relaxing and following your instincts you are more than likely doing just what you should be.

There is no verified reason to immunize your babe in hospital straight after birth as babe receives immunity from your breast milk for the first 6 months of his or her life. Should you wish to immunize (no this is NOT mandatory) find a doctor who has made immunizations their passion and can truly inform you as to the efficiency and possible side effects
Your baby should be checked by a Pediatrician or GP at the latest 6 weeks after birth.
You should arrange a check up 6 weeks after birth with your Obstetrician.
Visit the breastfeeding clinic in your area to weigh baby and meet other mums.

Should you have any questions, you are most welcome to phone your midwife.