- She's recovering from something big, whether it was a vaginal birth or surgery. Treat the next six weeks like a recovery, because it is.
- Bleeding, cramping, sweating, soreness, and big emotions are all normal in the first weeks.
- Your job: keep her fed, watered, resting, and off her feet as much as possible.
Bleeding and cramps
After birth, she'll bleed for several weeks as her uterus heals. It starts heavy and red and slowly turns lighter and pinkish, then yellowish-white. Cramps (called afterpains) are common, and they often get stronger while she's breastfeeding, because feeding helps the uterus shrink back down.
- Keep big pads, pain relief her provider okayed, and a heating pad within reach.
- Know the warning signs: soaking a pad in an hour, or clots bigger than an egg. See When to call.
If she had a C-section
A cesarean is major abdominal surgery, and she's doing it while caring for a newborn. Getting up, coughing, laughing, and lifting all hurt for a while. Most providers say not to lift anything heavier than the baby for several weeks.
- Hand her the baby so she doesn't have to bend to pick them up.
- Help her get up from the bed or couch, especially in the first week.
- Carry the heavy things: the car seat, the laundry basket, the groceries.
Soreness, stitches, and the bathroom
After a vaginal birth, she may have swelling, stitches, or hemorrhoids. The first bowel movement can be scary. A peri bottle (a squeeze bottle of warm water), cooling pads, a stool softener her provider recommends, and lots of water make a real difference.
Milk coming in
Around days 2 to 5, her milk usually comes in. Her breasts may feel full, hard, hot, and tender. This is called engorgement, and it usually eases within a day or two with frequent feeding. If one area turns red and hot and she feels feverish or achy like the flu, call her provider and reach out to a lactation consultant.
Hormones and sleep
Her hormones drop sharply in the days after birth. Add broken sleep and a body that's healing, and it's normal to feel weepy, overwhelmed, or flat. Night sweats are common too. Most of this eases in the first couple of weeks. If it doesn't, or it feels darker than sad, read Baby blues, and beyond.