The time right after you bring your new baby home can be very overwhelming. Planning ahead for this time can make your transition much smoother.
During pregnancy most parents learn about birth plans and the benefit of sharing your plan with those involved in supporting you during birth. Have you though about who is on your support team for after the birth? Hiring a Postpartum Doula, talking to friends and family about how they can help, getting meals arranged...all of these things will help. Working through a written postpartum plan will enable you to get all of your resources lined up before the baby arrives!
I encourage all expectant parents to be able to answer the questions below, and be clear in advance who you will ask for help postpartum.
Positive Postpartum Plan
Our family's plan is to have a smooth postpartum period. We know that we will be tired even when things go well, and we will need some additional support.
Our village (support people) with phone numbers (friends, family, neighbors, religious community, babysitters, and professionals):
People who will cook or coordinate healthy food (such as getting takeout gift cards, coordinating Mealtrain or Lotsa Helping Hands). Don't forget to have a couple of grocery lists available for people who want to shop, as well as round-trip printed directions from your house to grocery stores available for those who ask!
People who will specifically support the new mother (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.
People who will specifically support the partner/spouse/husband (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else he/she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.
People who will specifically support other child/ren.
Mom's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)
Partner/spouse/husband's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)
This form was created by Mara Acel-Green, a psychotherapist specializing in postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders and posted on Amanda Lowe's blog The doula Guide. Please see her blog for the complete article.
A few other great resources are the postpartum plan at Dona.org and the tips for a great baby-moon at Molly Reamer's blog The Attached Family.
During pregnancy most parents learn about birth plans and the benefit of sharing your plan with those involved in supporting you during birth. Have you though about who is on your support team for after the birth? Hiring a Postpartum Doula, talking to friends and family about how they can help, getting meals arranged...all of these things will help. Working through a written postpartum plan will enable you to get all of your resources lined up before the baby arrives!
I encourage all expectant parents to be able to answer the questions below, and be clear in advance who you will ask for help postpartum.
Positive Postpartum Plan
Our family's plan is to have a smooth postpartum period. We know that we will be tired even when things go well, and we will need some additional support.
Our village (support people) with phone numbers (friends, family, neighbors, religious community, babysitters, and professionals):
People who will cook or coordinate healthy food (such as getting takeout gift cards, coordinating Mealtrain or Lotsa Helping Hands). Don't forget to have a couple of grocery lists available for people who want to shop, as well as round-trip printed directions from your house to grocery stores available for those who ask!
People who will specifically support the new mother (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.
People who will specifically support the partner/spouse/husband (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else he/she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.
People who will specifically support other child/ren.
Mom's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)
Partner/spouse/husband's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)
This form was created by Mara Acel-Green, a psychotherapist specializing in postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders and posted on Amanda Lowe's blog The doula Guide. Please see her blog for the complete article.
A few other great resources are the postpartum plan at Dona.org and the tips for a great baby-moon at Molly Reamer's blog The Attached Family.
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