1. Burp the baby after a feed: Feeding baby is strenuous and exhausting for the mom especially during the initial weeks. Carrying the baby after a feed to allow it to burp whenever possible can be a small yet great support.
2. Involve yourself in diaper changes: Your equal participation in all the tasks of taking care of the baby can give your partner a much needed break. It could be diaper changes, or giving the baby a bath or also taking the baby for a stroll.
3. Feed the baby expressed milk: Feeding the pumped breastmilk to the baby can help the mom get a period of uninterrupted rest as well as give you an opportunity to bond with the baby.
4. Involve yourself in household chores: Sharing the workload at the home front can support the breastfeeding mom. It can also create a foundation for a gender neutral parenting for your baby.
5. Give her at least a few minutes of baby-free time: You could play or engage with the baby when the mom rests or sleeps or does something she used to enjoy doing before the baby came. This can greatly elevate her mood and breeze through her postpartum period.
6. Encourage the mother to not give up: The sleepless nights and cluster feedings can make it too hard for her to continue breastfeeding. Your words of encouragement, constant support and discussing the benefits can help in the process.
7. Give your partner and yourself time and grace to adjust to the new phase: Each baby, each pregnancy and each breastfeeding journey is different and unique. So give your partner, your baby and yourself the time to adjust to this new phase. We are sure you would sail through it with grace.

The following are some of the aspects that can be done to support her to sail through pregnancy and be equipped for parenthood:

1. Discuss the responsibilities that you need to share among each other.
2. Discuss the choices that you want to make for yourselves and your baby.
3. Take a pregnancy/birthing classes with your partner to be prepared.
4. Read books related to infant care to be better equipped.
5. Talk to friends who recently had a baby
6. Note down all your doubts and talk to your doctor about your apprehensions.

Last but not the least, you should choose great quality products for your new-born baby. We, at Little Sudhams can assure you that you have reached the precise destination for new-born baby products.

1. Check with your doctor: You should check with your doctor before you begin any exercise regimen. The recovery period can be anywhere between 6-16 weeks. Your doctor is the best person to advise based on your individual health condition and recovery from childbirth.
2. Focus on your fitness and not weight: If you are breastfeeding and consistent in your exercises, you would ultimately lose your postpartum weight. But, feeling fit and having a flexible body is more important than a slim figure. It is great if you manage to fit into your pre-pregnancy pretty dress. But that need not be your ultimatum.
3. Be Consistent: You would have a lot of responsibilities when you are new to motherhood. So, sticking to a fitness regimen might be difficult. Follow a small, simple, doable routine and increase as you progress. You are more likely to be consistent if the routine is doable.
4. Choose an exercise that you would enjoy: It could be putting your baby on a carrier or a stroller and taking a quick walk or run. It could be dancing for your favorite tune as your baby watches. It could be anything you enjoy. Again, if you enjoy, it is more likely that you would be consistent.
5. Don’t fall for fad diets or quick weight loss: You need a balanced diet with all vital nutrients to recover yourself from childbirth and breastfeeding. Any day, a gradual weight loss without compromising on your health and fitness is definitely better than a quick reduction. Please never succumb to the societal pressures of getting back to pre-pregnancy weight and unrealistic norms.

At the end of the day, it is important to start a fitness regimen that is simple, doable and enjoyable to stay consistent. We wish you stay motivated to be fit through your pregnancy and postpartum journey.

1. Change is the only things that’s constant: We are not trying to be philosophical, but this saying applies more to a new mother than anybody else. One day, you are trying to fix one problem and the next day, a new problem might crop up. One day, it might be all cuddles, smiles and sweet coos. But, the other day it might be cries, crankiness and sleeplessness. So, be prepared and take it one day at a time.

2. Your bag will be bigger: You would be packing like you are going on a vacation even when you are going for a two-hour drive with your baby! Don’t even ask us how much you will have to pack when you are going on a vacation with your baby. The thing that you thought you may not need, might become the most-wanted-item during the short trip. You might forget a thing or two every time you pack. Blame it on your mommy brain, just don’t beat yourself up and relax the drive.

3. You will be obsessed with your baby’s poop: Your baby’s poop specifics would become a big topic for your Google research. It might also be a common topic for discussion among family members. Also, whenever baby poops there will be relief more than any other feeling. Please check with your baby’s doctor rather than going by Google search if you are really concerned.

4. There is much more than just dressing up your baby in cute clothes and bunny caps: We are a new-born baby clothing brand and love to dress up a new-born baby nice and cute. But, the reality for a mother is far from just cute clothes and bunny caps. Sorry to break the news, but there is an insane amount of other stuff to concentrate with a baby. Just don’t let that make you forget to enjoy the little things though.

5. 24 hours or a village does not seem to be enough: We have all heard that it takes a village to raise a baby. It is true, but for those of you with little or no support system, the struggle is real. We understand that it’s difficult, so plan, prioritize, simplify and delegate tasks whenever and wherever possible.

We wish and hope you have all the strength to pass the postpartum period with a dash of humour and loads of love.

– Little Sudhams Team

• The first time you pee and poop after childbirth might be difficult: The first time is going to be painful, gassy and difficult just after childbirth. It is better if you are mentally prepared so that you can face it better.
• Your tummy is going to make you look pregnant even after the delivery: It’s normal for the tummy to still look big. You may look like you are still pregnant. This is because your uterus which expanded itself for accommodating your baby will take time for shrinking back to its original size.
• Breastfeeding your baby cannot be a foolproof contraceptive measure: You may or may not get your periods for a while if you are breastfeeding. There is enough chance for you to get pregnant even when you have not got your periods while breastfeeding.
• You may experience urinary incontinence even after childbirth: You may experience urinary incontinence* even after childbirth. If you experience incontinence 6 weeks after delivery, it’s advisable to consult your doctor.

Do you have more questions in your mind about pregnancy and post-partum? 

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Tips & Tricks

In the mean time, you could try doing any of these to ease your swelling and pain of your feet.

1. Take periodic breaks if you are sitting or standing. If you have been sitting, get up and if you have been standing, have a seat.
2. Have an exercise routine. Walking regularly can boost up your circulation. Swimming and mild aerobics can also help tackle your swelling. Yoga postures like Vajrasana can really help relieve swelling and pain from your feet.
3. Elevate your feet when you are sitting.
4. Lie down on your side when resting or sleeping which can help in efficient waste elimination by the kidneys and reduce swelling.
5. Choose comfortable footwear over fashionable ones. You may also use soft slippers especially for home to reduce discomfort or pain.
6. Keep yourself hydrated to reduce the swelling. The more water you drink, the less you retain.
7. Salt restriction can also help in reducing swelling.

When the swelling is more than mild, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Breastfeeding your baby has so much of benefits but comes with a fair share of difficulties and challenges to overcome. You should give it your best shot to breastfeed your baby for its obvious benefits. But, given the unavoidable situation of your inability to breastfeed, feeding formula is a suitable alternative. It is really important that you are never made to feel guilty for choices beyond your control.

We, at Little Sudhams promote and celebrate every mother’s successful breastfeeding journey. So, before you give up breastfeeding, please consult a physician or lactation consultant or approach a breast milk bank.

*Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as feeding infants only breast milk, be it directly from breast or expressed, except drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, mineral supplements or medicine.

3. Stress & Anxiety: Stress can hinder the supply of breast milk, though it may not stop the milk production. New mothers may enter into a loop of lack of sleep, stress and reduced breast milk supply. Hence, you should have a check on your sleep and stress levels. On the other hand, regularly feeding your baby can soothe you and help reduce stress levels and mood swings. Anxiety, fear stress and hormonal imbalances can affect your breast milk supply. It is also very important to remember that every mother does her best and it is completely normal to be overwhelmed by your responsibilities. Try to meditate or do a simple exercise or anything that can lift your mood and avoid stress. Talk to a friend or family member who has recently had a baby. This could help you in sharing tips and ideas and you could also get much needed empathy and reassurance.

4. Balanced Diet: A balanced and healthy diet is essential for the health of the breastfeeding mother and the baby. The quality of the breast milk will be greatly improved when you consume the right kind of diet from the start of your pregnancy and throughout your breastfeeding journey. A balanced diet can not only improve your breast milk supply but also improve your quality of milk. Even when the quantity of the milk supply is not a problem, when your diet lacks vital nutrients, the quality of breastmilk may get affected and/or you may get malnutrition. For example, if your diet lacks Calcium, the body makes amends to make Calcium available from your bones from the breastmilk. The recuperation of the body is better when the diet followed is a healthy one with all vital nutrients.

5. Hydration: Almost 88% of breast milk is water, hence hydration is key. Make sure you drink adequate amount of water. You could sip water, fresh fruit juice, lemonade, tender coconut water or butter milk as you nurse your baby or just after a feeding session. Drinking adequate water is key to maintain the breastmilk supply for nursing mothers. This can help to keep your body stay hydrated as the amount of water input has a direct effect on the breast milk supply.

6. Exclusive Breastfeeding:

Exclusive breastfeeding can improve breast milk supply. Breastfeeding works in the principle of demand and supply. The more you breastfeed, the more milk the breasts create. So, regular breastfeeding with no formula substitution can help increase your supply. Alternatively, you could also take the help of breast pump to increase your supply. You can increase the breast milk supply by pumping every 2-3 hours even when your baby is not hungry. Doing this routine for at least a day or two can help increase your supply greatly as your body adapts to produce more milk based on the demand.

7. Skin-to-Skin Interactions: The skin-to-skin interactions have been found to increase breast milk supply for the mother. The skin-to skin interaction can be done as long as possible and as frequently as possible especially during the postpartum period.* So mommies, go ahead to hold and cuddle your baby as much as possible. Don’t worry you cannot spoil or pamper your baby by doing so. On the other hand, the bond between you and your baby is strengthened by frequent skin-to-skin interactions. It could also help calm the baby and make the baby feel safe and secure. The skin-to-skin interactions between mother and baby can not only regularize breastmilk supply but also strengthen the bond.

In conclusion, remember that attention to the following aspects can help improve and regularize your breast milk supply:

*postpartum period is the first 3 months after childbirth

1. Eat smaller meals: Your acid reflux can increase when you eat a meal that makes your tummy too full. Eat 5-6 smaller meals rather than 3 meals to reduce the feeling of fullness.
2. Eliminate foods that increase your acid reflux: Watch over your diet and stop consuming the foods that increase acid reflux. Some common foods that increase acid reflux are tea, coffee, spicy foods, citrus fruits like lemon, etc.,
3. Include foods that reduce your heartburn: Some foods that can give relief for heartburn are cold milk, almonds, curd, banana, etc., Try to research and experiment foods that agree with your health and include them.
4. Don’t consume antacids or any other medication without your doctor’s approval: Antacids can hinder digestion and also impair absorption of nutrients by your body. It’s best to avoid any medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s approval.
5. Don’t sleep/lie down immediately after a meal: Even for a normal person, lying down just after a meal might result in regurgitation or heartburn. The hormones and your growing tummy might increase your heartburn. So, try to finish your meal at least 2 hours before bedtime.
6. Use extra pillows: Elevate your head slightly higher than your usual with extra pillows propped up. This can help in preventing heartburn and also for better comfort as your belly grows. Make sure you do it right to prevent neck or back pain the next day.

So, how did you manage heartburn during your pregnancy? 

Please do share us your thoughts in the comments section.