These are general tips for newborns who live at home for their first month.

What can I do to take care of myself at home after delivery?

Having a newborn at home for the first month can be overwhelming. It can feel overwhelming to focus all your attention on your newborn. It would be best if you also took care of your health. You are your baby’s best friend.

• You should take as much rest as you can. It is difficult to work to deliver a baby. You probably didn’t get much sleep in the hospital. It would be best if you took the time to relax in the first few weeks following delivery. Sleep when your baby is sleeping. You should restrict visitors for the first two weeks to ensure that your baby is well-fed and rested.
• Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby, particularly if you’ve had a cesarean.
• Ask for help. Tell your family and friends that you can help with cooking, laundry, chores around the house, and even stopping by the grocery store to get a few things for you.
• You should wash your hands frequently, especially after every trip to the toilet, diaper changes, and before you feed your baby.
• For the first week following delivery, limit stair climbing to a minimum.
• Don’t try to be perfect. You don’t have to make your house perfect. Visitors are not coming to see your house but your baby.
• Make sure your baby is taken care of in a simple way. Baby doesn’t need to be bathed every day. You can wipe the baby’s hands, diaper, and face daily.
• Know when professional help is needed. Call your doctor if you feel anxious all the time, have trouble sleeping or have felt “blue” for longer than two weeks.

How can I maintain my physical health?

• Your obstetrician will schedule a follow-up visit within one week of delivery. Your healthcare provider will usually schedule a follow-up visit within 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. Some healthcare providers may want to see you sooner than that, for example, 2 weeks after delivery.
• Until your next checkup, continue to perform perineal care as directed by your healthcare provider.
• It would be best to wait until your first checkup before you have intercourse. Your healthcare provider will advise you that it is okay to have sex again after your perineum has healed or the abdominal scar from a cesarean birth has healed. Also, postpartum bleeding and discharge are minimal.
• If you haven’t discussed birth control options before giving birth, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider about them during your first postpartum visit. You can still get pregnant even though you don’t have to breastfeed.
• Avoid tampons or douche until you have had your first checkup, which is between 4 and 6 weeks after the delivery.
• Keep taking your prenatal vitamins each day. Take a multivitamin with iron if you run out of prenatal vitamins.
• Every day, eat healthy food. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Go for a walk or take a break from the house to get some fresh air. Discuss with your healthcare provider when you can safely start an exercise program.
• Eight glasses of fluid per day are recommended. Drinking water, juice, or milk is a good choice.