Adylaed

for natural mamas

Handmade Soap

What do I need after having a baby?

It's easy to overlook your own health when you're exhasuted from caring for your new baby. But you have to. That's the only way you can be the best version of yourself for your little angel. (Although they probably weren't acting like an angel at two in the morning - all the more reason you need to bolster yourself.)

Here is a breakdown of the not-as-exciting-stuff no one gets you but you realize you need while you're also trying to care for your baby and end up frantically Googling at 3 am.

The health products I discovered were game-changers, in terms of milk supply and mood (post-partem depression, anyone?)...on baby number three.

Everyone should know about these before baby number one.

- Jessica
Electrolytes 2
https://www.athsport.co/products/lytes?utm_source=Google_paid&utm_medium=19660938388_152979726918&utm_content=668755876290&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19660938388&gbraid=0AAAAADled-Bxi4f4aGDiNL34A57kvlZMJ&gclid=CjwKCAjw6vHHBhBwEiwAq4zvAxUIM-hHoGVPhA3UtHj2jZaNTLKizfZ1VlnPZUVSKrLwzl9XXAZBPRoCiTYQAvD_BwE&variant=40290744959152
Electrolytes - GET THESE. My primary care and lactation consultant explained water apparently isn't enough for breastfeeding women (come to find out on baby number three.) Electrolytes come in many forms - I did pineapple coconut water as well as salt packets to stir into my water. I did not do Gatorade because it has a bunch of other stuff in it I'm not a fan of.

The addition of electrolytes into my diet filled an empty spot physically and mentally. That's all I know how to explain it. It wasn't just increased energy, it was a feeling of being more awake...that's as close as I can get. I love ATH's "Lytes," (see the image to the left) because they have zero added sugar or natural flavor, and they taste amazing!

If you've never heard you need electrolytes while breastfeeding, here is an article about it that you might find helpful:
https://mypuredelivery.com/how-to-use-electrolytes-for-proper-hydration/
D
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vitamin+D+and+K+gummies&crid=1VKMIOF1I988P&sprefix=vitamin+d+and+k+gummies%2Caps%2C185&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Vitamin D/K - My primary care doctor and lactation consultant recommended an extra D boost for mood, in addition to my post-natal vitamins. The health food store near me (Good Health in Hanover, MA - they are so helpful and knowledgeable!) told me K helps vitamin D absorb and helped me find a brand that had both. I'm weird and can't swallow giant pills, so these were great! (And a nice treat to look forward to each morning when I was stumbling into the kitchen.)

NOTE: You may be able to get these for free with a prescription. I just found that prescription supplements - pre-natal vitamins, at least - don't come in gummy form. If you struggle with swallowing pills like I do, you might prefer the gummies!
 
Hibiscus tea
https://amzn.to/3LWY2Rv
Hibiscus Tea - This was such a nice afternoon routine to look forward to. I would have a cup and read while breastfeeding. It's delicious and it boosted my mood.

FUN FACT: Cover your tea while steeping! Did you know that if you don't, many of the nutrients float away in the steam? I recently found this out in a fascinating little book from my nana, 20,000 Secrets of Tea, by Victoria Zak.

All these years, all those nutrients, just floating away...

ANOTHER FUN FACT: This tea happens to be caffeine-free, but just because I notice many people seem to think you can't have caffeine while breastfeeding, thought I'd throw this in:

According to WebMD, breastfeeding women should limit coffee intake to...300 mg per day.

That's three cups of coffee per day! I don't know about you, but that's a bit more than I drink anyway.

See https://www.webmd.com/baby/is-caffeine-safe-while-breastfeeding. So go ahead and enjoy your normal cup or two :) It never seemed to affect my kiddos.
 
Baby carrier
Baby Carrier - This changed my life. My last baby didn't even sit in a stroller until she was about six months old. Part of that was because I had two other tiny children, so it was just easier to push two-year-old Peter in the stroller while wearing baby Sophie and walking with four-year-old Lena.

Good Lord, that sounds like a lot. But it worked, I swear.

Sophie was born in December. I am an outdoor person. If I don't get out right after breakfast, I get anxious. With a baby carrier, I could go out with Sophie in the dead of winter in Massachusetts knowing she was warm and cozy. I also had an over-baby sweatshirt and winter coat, and even spikes for my shoes I would throw on when it was icy. You don't have to be contained to the house if you would rather get out :)

And besides convenience and the warm and fuzzy snuggle factor, wearing your baby also stimulates your milk supply by signaling both mom and baby to produce oxytocin. So while they're snuggling, you know they're getting the sleep they need to grow and your body's getting the message to produce milk.

Source: https://internationalbreastfeedinginstitute.com/2021/11/babywearing-for-increasing-milk-supply/

Here's another article you might find interesting if you're interested in the benefits of babywearing: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740919311260