The postpartum

The postpartum: a special period when you learn to interact with your baby

postpartum is a special time for brand-new parents. It is the time when they learn to interact with their baby together and when they are supported by a maternity nurse. In this article we discuss the most important aspects of postpartum, such as the first hours after birth, feeding the baby, the maternity plan and examinations of the baby.

The first hours after birth

The first hours after birth are crucial for both mother and baby. Immediately after delivery, the baby is placed on the mother's chest for skin-to-skin contact. This has several benefits, including stimulating breastfeeding and fostering the bond between mother and baby. The maternity nurse will then examine the baby and provide initial care, such as taking the heel prick and hearing test.

Baby's nutrition

Another important aspect of postpartum is feeding the baby. The first feeding is ideally given within an hour of birth. This is also known as the golden hour. It is important that the baby latches on well during this first feeding and drinks well. The maternity nurse can provide support and advice. For bottle-feeding, the maternity nurse can help prepare and give the feed. Read more about breastfeeding and bottle feeding here.

Maternity Plan

A maternity plan can help postpartum run smoothly. In a maternity plan, arrangements are made about such things as maternity visits, caring for the baby and household chores. This can help divide tasks and responsibilities and reduce stress.

Several tests are also performed on the baby at postpartum . As mentioned earlier, the heel prick is taken to test for some rare diseases. The hearing test is also done to check if the baby can hear well. In addition, the baby's temperature, weight and reflexes are checked regularly. Read more about the heel prick and hearing test here.

In short, postpartum is an important and special time for brand-new parents and their baby. It is a time of learning, caring and enjoying. With good preparation, support and communication with the maternity nurse, this period can run as smoothly as possible.

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