MOTHER CARE

The New Mother: Taking Care of Yourself After Birth The postpartum period begins after the
delivery of your baby and ends when your body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnant state. This
period often lasts 6 to 8 weeks. The postpartum period involves your moving through many
changes, both emotionally and physically. You are also learning how to deal with all the changes
needed with becoming a new mother. The postpartum period also involves you and your partner
learning how to care for your newborn and learning how to function as a changed family unit.
You need to take good care of yourself to rebuild your strength. You will need plenty of rest,
good nutrition, and help during the first few weeks.
REST
Every new parent soon learns that babies have different time clocks than adults. A typical
newborn wakes up about every 3 hours and needs to be fed, changed, and comforted. Especially
if this is your first baby, you and your partner can become overwhelmed by exhaustion. You may
not get a solid 8 hours of sleep for several months. Here are ideas to help you get more rest: In
the first few weeks, you need to let someone else take care of all responsibilities other than
feeding your baby and taking care of yourself. Sleep when the baby sleeps. This may be only a
few minutes of rest several times a day, but these minutes can add up. Save steps and time. Have
your baby's bed near yours for feedings at night. It’s nice to have visits from friends and family,
but don’t feel that you need to entertain guests. Feel free to excuse yourself for a nap or to feed
your baby.
PROPER NUTRITION
Nutrition Your body has undergone many changes during pregnancy and birth. You need time to
recover. In addition to rest, you need to eat a healthy diet to help you do that. The weight gained
in pregnancy helps build stores for your recovery and for breastfeeding. After delivery, you need
to eat a healthy and balanced diet so you can be active and able to care for your baby. Most
lactation experts recommend that you eat when you are hungry. But many mothers may be so
tired or busy that food gets forgotten. So it is important to plan simple, healthy meals that include
choices from all of the recommended groups from MyPlate. MyPlate is a guideline to help you
eat a healthy diet. MyPlate can help you eat a variety of foods and also get the right amount of
calories and fat. MyPlate is divided into 5 food group categories:
1.Grains. Foods that are made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain
are grain products. Examples include whole wheat, brown rice, and oatmeal.
2.Vegetables. Vary your vegetables. Choose a variety of vegetables, including dark green, red,
and orange vegetables, legumes (peas and beans), and starchy vegetables.
3.Fruits. Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh,
canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.
4.Dairy. Milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group.
Focus on fat-free or low-fat products, as well as those that are high in calcium.
 5.Protein. Go lean on protein. Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry. Vary your protein
routine. Choose more fish, nuts, seeds, peas, and beans. You should include exercise and
everyday physical activity in your dietary plan. Follow a healthy eating routine. To get the
nutrients you need during pregnancy, follow a healthy eating routine
1.Whole fruits — like apples, berries, oranges, mango, and bananas
2.Veggies — like broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, okra, spinach, peppers, and jicama
3.Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread
4.Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and
tofu 5.Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy
beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt
6.Oils — like vegetable oil, olive oil, and oils in foods like seafood, avocado, and nuts. Don’t
drink alcohol. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. All
types of alcohol can be harmful for your baby, including wine and beer.
BREASTFEEDING TECHNIQUE
Breastfeeding techniques and postpartum care for breastfeeding
1. Positioning: Ensure a comfortable position for both you and your baby. Common positions
include cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying.
2. Latch: Make sure your baby has a deep latch to prevent nipple pain and ensure effective milk
transfer. Your baby's mouth should cover both the areola and nipple.
3. Frequency: Feed your baby on demand, which is typically 8-12 times a day. Watch for hunger
cues like rooting or sucking on fists.
4. Duration: Allow your baby to nurse for as long as they are interested. This helps stimulate
your milk supply.
5. Burping: Burp your baby during and after feeds to release any swallowed air, reducing the
risk of discomfort.
6. Hydration and Nutrition: Stay well-hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support milk
production.
7.Breast Care: Keep your breasts clean and dry. If you experience nipple pain, consult a
lactation consultant or healthcare provider for guidance.
8.Rest: Ensure you get enough rest to support your overall well-being and milk supply.
9.Seek Support: Connect with breastfeeding support groups, lactation consultants, or healthcare
providers if you encounter challenges.
 Newborn care during the postpartum care:
1. Feeding: Whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, ensure your baby is fed on demand,
usually 8-12 times a day for a newborn. Monitor their latch and feeding cues.
2. Diapering: Change diapers frequently to keep the baby dry and prevent diaper rash. Newborns
typically need around 8-12 diaper changes per day.
3. Sleep: Newborns sleep a lot, but their sleep is often in short stretches. Create a safe and
comfortable sleep environment, placing the baby on their back to sleep.
4. Bathing: Give sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off and the circumcision (if
applicable) heals. Use mild baby soap and shampoo, and avoid tub baths until the baby's cord is
healed.
5. Umbilical Cord Care: Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry. Fold diapers below the
stump to allow air circulation.
6. Cuddle and Bonding: Spend time cuddling and bonding with your baby. Skin-to-skin contact
is beneficial for both the baby and parent.
7. Monitoring Health: Keep an eye on your baby's weight gain, growth, and overall health.
Attend scheduled pediatrician appointments for check-ups and vaccinations.
8. Comfort and Soothing: Respond to your baby's cries by checking for hunger, discomfort,
diaper changes, or the need for sleep. Soothe them with gentle rocking, swaying, or by singing.
9. Safety Measures: Ensure the baby's sleep environment is safe, with no loose bedding or toys.
Use a rear-facing car seat for travel, and always support the baby's head and neck.
10. Seek Support: Don't hesitate to seek advice from healthcare providers, family, or friends.
Parenting can be challenging, and support can make a significant difference.

FAMILY PLANNING
1. Hormonal contraceptive methods include oral contraceptives pills, injectables, and implants.
They all prevent pregnancy mainly by stopping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs.
2. Oral contraceptives pills should be taken one pill everyday. No malabsan t maysa aldaw dapat
no agtumar kanto t next day na kt isaop mo jy aldaw nga haan mo pinagtumar basta gingana lang
tallo.
3. Injectable contraceptives are given by injection into a woman’s arm or buttocks once every
1,2,3 months. depending on the type of injectable. Kasla koma jy Depo t depo gamin kt 1-
3months lang samantalang jy implant kt 3 years.
4. Contraceptive implants are inserted under the skin of a woman’n upper arm and provide
continuous highly effective pregnancy protection for 3-5years. No malpas jy 3 years nga pinagpa
implant mo, dapat d aldaw nga pinag pa insert mo kt iso mtlng jy aldaw nga pinag pa ikkat mo ta
masukat ulit t sabali no hanka palng ready ulit nga agsikog.
5. Fertility awarenes methods require a couple to know the fertile days of woman’n menstrual
cycle. Dapat jy before and after 7days nga pinagregla kt agusar t contraceptives kase before and
after 7 days t regla kt fertile ka.
6. Withdrawal ket 99.9% safe so meaning t withdrawal kt hannga 100% safe. mabalin ka latta
maalaan uray hannga mayputok jy uneg ken mas dak dakkel py t tendency na nga maalaan ka.
IMMUNIZATION
It is Important to get fully Immunized?
it is important that you and your children who can get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not
only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and
loved ones. Immunizations can save your family time and money.
What is the importance of complete immunization?
When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds. We now have vaccines to prevent more
than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives.
Immunization currently prevents 3.5-5 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria,
tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles