Through the Looking Glass – First Days of Motherhood

Welcome to motherhood! Whether it’s your first experience as a mom or you’re starting over again with a new baby, there are a few things you should know in order to make early motherhood as smooth as possible. Let’s pick up the looking glass and find out what to expect.

Contractions help your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, shrink the area where the placenta was attached, and decrease your bleeding.

After the baby is born, you will have bleeding, like a period (heavier in the first few days). At first, the bleeding will be red, then pink, then brown, and finally creamy yellow or white before it stops, which should be around six weeks after your baby is born. The bleeding should smell like your normal period and should never smell sour or foul.

You’ll find that you have mild contractions. Contractions help your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, shrink the area where the placenta was attached, and decrease your bleeding. Depending on the size of your baby, and/or the number of babies you’ve had, you may notice some fairly intense cramping. If you have chosen to breastfeed your baby, you may notice more cramping while the baby is nursing. These cramps decrease and become less painful after the first couple of days.

{ MORE: Surviving the First Weeks Home from the Hospital }

If you delivered vaginally, you will notice that your vaginal area may be sore and swollen for a few days. Ice packs help decrease the swelling and feel best during the first 24 hours. After that, you will find more comfort from warm packs or soaking in a tub of warm water for 15-20 minutes, several times a day. Lying on your side will help take pressure off the swollen area and help you heal more comfortably. Any stitches that you may have received will dissolve within a few weeks.

Are you breastfeeding your baby? Because both you and your baby worked very during child birth, you both will be very hungry. You can expect your newborn baby to be most interested in nursing within the first 30 minutes after birth.

“Baby blues” affect many women in the first days following birth, but they are usually mild and disappear on their own in a few weeks.

After the initial feeding, rather than feeding the baby on a schedule, feed your baby at the earliest sign of hunger. Baby cues, such as sucking on a fist, making smacking sounds, licking lips, or turning toward your breast, will help you know when your baby is hungry. Help your baby latch onto your breast and let the baby nurse at least 20-30 minutes. Your baby may fall asleep at your breast or relax and let go of your nipple; these are signs that your baby is full.

If you plan to formula feed your baby, your body will still make milk because of the hormonal changes following birth. To decrease discomfort, wear a good support bra and use ice packs on your breasts if they are full. Avoid touching your nipples, because that will make you produce even more milk.

“Baby blues” affect many women in the first days following birth, but they are usually mild and disappear on their own in a few weeks. Common signs of the “baby blues” are mood swings; feeling let down; sadness; crying spells; feeling anxious, restless, or uneasy; getting annoyed easily; or feeling lonely. Tell your doctor or midwife if the blues continue past two weeks after birth.

{ MORE: 5 Things You'll Want Help with after Baby }

As you can see, there are a lot of changes in the early days of motherhood. Despite all the challenges, enjoy becoming your baby’s best mom and watching your baby grow.