Making the most of your postpartum hospital stay

If you are planning to have your baby in hospital, the length of time you stay in hospital after birth will typically range between 4 hours and 5 days. This will all depend on where you have your baby, your model of care, your birth, your postnatal and feeding experience, and the follow up you have available once you’re discharged.

Some new families can’t wait to get home and start their new lives with a new family member, while others are eager for all the support and advice they can get before they set off on their own.

Whatever your preference and however long you stay, here are some tips on how to make the most of that time.So here’s a list of a few of the things that fit into the ‘not necessary but probable helpful’ category that my heart lives in – little tips from a midwife who has never, and will never, ‘pack light’.

5 non-essential (but helpful) things to put in your hospital bag

There are a million different lists and “Pack my birth bag with me” videos to watch out there. I’m always interested to see what people consider the ‘essentials’ to bring with them to have a baby and recover from birth. I’ve cared for a lot of women on the postnatal ward in hospital and I like to think I’m pretty self-aware, so you’ll see from the title that I don’t believe any of these things are necessary for a positive, nourishing postpartum. But, maybe you, like me, always grab your biggest suitcase even if you’re only packing for a weekend and fill it with everything you WILL need, plus a bunch of stuff you MIGHT need and a few things you almost definitely don’t, but WHAT IF YOU DO.

So here’s a list of a few of the things that fit into the ‘not necessary but probable helpful’ category that my heart lives in – little tips from a midwife who has never, and will never, ‘pack light’.

Milk supply: “What will my breasts think?

One of the biggest reasons reported for stopping breastfeeding is low supply. This is where parents feel the amount of milk their baby receives from breastfeeding is not enough to meet their needs.

However, it’s actually very rare that a mother is unable to make enough breastmilk for her baby.

Have a read to learn more!

How To Be A Good Villager Postpartum

To the family and friends that make up a new parents’ village,

There are few things that are more exciting than when one of your loved ones grows a new family member. There is a special responsibility that comes with being close to new parents, and ones that may well bring a shift in your relationship. You are entrusted to listen without judgement, to love them through their transformation into parenthood, and to pursue them through it. You are part of their village, and whether it’s their first baby or their thirteenth, there are lots of ways you can help. If you are new to the village (or a village veteran!) and want some tips, know that your thoughtfulness has already brought you halfway there! See below for more great ways to love on new parents.

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