Pregnancy Questions

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Postnatal

Most asked questions

When can my baby start tummy time?

Your baby can start small amounts of tummy time soon after birth. When baby is awake, alert and calm place her on her tummy. With supervision start with a few minutes at a time, two- three times a day.

When should I put my baby to sleep?

Following your baby’s cues is important so that she doesn’t get over tired or too hungry- this can make for a really upset and difficult to manage baby. A baby tends to get tired after any activity- feeding, daiper changing or after a bath. Signs that your newborn is tired include clenching their fists, tense or jerky movements, arching backwards, and yawning, becoming grizzly, having trouble focusing and starling easily.

 

More questions

How do I care for my baby's umbilical cord?

Your baby will have a stump where the umbilical cord has been cut. The cord clamp will be removed at around day 3. This cord will then begin to dry out and shrivel up and it will fall off around day 10. There may be a few drops of blood when this happens. It may also be a little smelly. Clean with warm water on a cloth or in a bath and dry well afterwards to help with healing. The diaper can sit high over the cord.

 

Should I be using a belly band after birth?
Belly banks are an individual preference, some women find that they help support their tummy after birth and help with lower back pain. There’s no evidence that they promote healing and they do not promote weight loss or have an effect on your body shape.
Should I avoid certain food after birth?

After birth, mothers can resume back to their normal diet. It’s important to eat a varied and healthy diet whilst breastfeeding, including getting a balanced source of protein, calcium, iron and folate. It is important to drink plenty of water in order to keep hydrated as breastfeeding mothers need more fluid during this time. There is no evidence that certain foods need to be avoided, however caffeine does cross into the breastmilk, so large amount of tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks should be avoided.

 

Is bleeding after birth normal?
Vaginal bleeding after birth is completely normal. Bleeding occurs if you have a vaginal birth or if you have a caesarean section. Bleeding tends to be bright red in the first 1-2 days after birth, and then will begin to get darker. It can last for up to 4-6 weeks.
How long do I need to wait to fall pregnant again after a c-section?

Many doctors advise women to wait 18 to 24 months after they've given birth before trying to conceive again, but this is especially true if you've birthed by C-Section. This time-out gives your body a chance to heal and recover from surgery.