The First 14 Days Postpartum: Insider Tips from your Richmond baby and family photographer

If you’re reading this while pregnant, check out some of my newborn Richmond Photography tips as you prepare for the arrival of your baby

Your Richmond baby and family photographer gets ready for some real talk about postpartum life. In this blog post, I’m dishing the honest, unfiltered truth about what to expect after giving birth — the stuff that no one seems to talk about.

Buckle up, because we’re about to get real!

You might experience night sweats as your body gets rid of the excess fluid from pregnancy.

Night sweats can be surprising and uncomfortable, but they’re a normal part of the postpartum experience.

Your body has been holding onto extra fluid during pregnancy, and after giving birth, it needs to get rid of it. This can lead to sweating during the night, which can be uncomfortable and even wake you up.

One way to deal with night sweats is to wear cotton lightweight pyjamas and use breathable bedding. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

TOP TIP: A handheld fan is excellent for cooling yourself down at night. 

Your nipples may hurt, crack and bleed.

Breastfeeding is natural right? That’s what I was told – but I was never told how much it might hurt those first couple of days, and how much nipple cream I’d blow through in 24 hours!

Your breasts might leak milk and be sore, even if you’re not breastfeeding. Nursing pads + nipple cream are a lifesaver.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding, this is normal, as many women find this part tricky to navigate – reach out to your community midwife for support.

TOP TIP – As your Richmond baby and family photographer, what helped me when I had mastitis was placing cabbage leaves on my breast. It really helped me with my second baby, as they have cooling anti-inflammatory properties and provided a cooling effect which helps in decreasing fluid and build-up.

 It’s common to feel sad in the first few days after giving birth.

Everyone says becoming a mom is the best feeling ever, right?

Not for everyone, and that’s ok!!

The first few days after giving birth can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s common to feel a range of emotions, from joy to anxiety to sadness.

These feelings are often referred to as “baby blues” and are a normal part of the postpartum experience. As a Richmond baby photographer with experience of having baby blues after my daughter was born, I can tell you that feeling down can be part of the part of the experience. With time and supprt ,however, they will soon just be a distant memory.

BUT, if these feelings persist or get worse, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare provider. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that affects many new mums, and it’s important to get the support you need to feel better.

It’s important to take care of your perineum if you had a tear or

episiotomy.

Ice packs, witch hazel pads, and sitz baths can provid relief.

If you had a tear or episiotomy during delivery, it’s important to take care of your perineum as it heals. This can be a painful and uncomfortable process, but there are things you can do to make it easier.

You can use ice packs, witch hazel pads, or sitz baths to reduce swelling and pain.

Padsicles are a popular DIY solution for postpartum relief. They are essentially frozen pads that are infused with soothing ingredients like witch hazel, aloe vera, and lavender oil. Here’s how to make padsicles:

– Gather your supplies: You’ll need heavy-duty pads (such as overnight pads), witch hazel, aloe vera gel, lavender oil, and a large plastic bag.

– Mix the ingredients: In a bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of witch hazel, 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, and a few drops of lavender oil. Stir until well

combined.

– Open the pads: Unwrap the pads, but leave the adhesive backing on.

– This will help the pads stick to your underwear.

– Apply the mixture: Using a spoon or brush, apply the mixture to the top of the pad. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the pad.

– Fold the pads: Fold the pads back up and place them into the plastic bag. Make sure they’re flat and not folded.

– Freeze the pads: Put the plastic bag with the folded pads into the freezer and freeze until they’re completely frozen, which usually takes a

few hours.

– Use the padsicles: When you’re ready to use the padsicles, remove them from the plastic bag and peel off the adhesive backing. Place the pad in

your underwear with the frozen side against your skin. The coolness of the frozen pad can provide relief from swelling and soreness.

That’s it! Padsicles are an easy and cost-effective way to get relief from postpartum discomfort. Just be sure to change the padsicles as needed

throughout the day, and discard used pads in the bin.

You might think you’re going bald with all the hair loss | Richmond newborn photographer

For me, this happened both times I gave birth, and I’ve heard from clients and friends that they lost a lot of hair postpartum.

You might be alarmed to see a lot of hair falling out after having a baby! But don’t worry, postpartum hair loss is actually quite common and

temporary for many new mothers. This happens because during pregnancy, hormonal changes cause hair to enter a resting phase, leading to less

shedding.

After giving birth, your hormone levels start to return to normal, and your hair begins to shed the extra strands it held onto during pregnancy.

Postpartum hair loss usually starts a few months after delivery and can last for several months.

To minimise the effects, try using gentle hair care products, avoiding tight hairstyles, and maintaining a balanced diet. Rest assured, your hair willgradually return to its normal growth cycle, and the shedding should slow down.

TOP TIP – A haircut helped me to stop the extreme hair loss postpartum.

Listen, it’s totally okay to feel overwhelmed after bringing a new human into the world. After all, you’re doing one of the most important jobs ever!

So, if you need help, don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops.

Seriously, nobody expects you to be Super mum and social media is often a lie (so don’t get fooled by mums springing back to normal after a few days)

Your friends, family, and healthcare providers are there for you, just waiting to lend a hand or a listening ear. Whether you need advice on how to soothe a

fussy baby, some company during those late-night feedings, or just someone to hold the baby while you take a much-deserved shower, PLEASE reach out.

Remember, asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise!

If you would like to find out more helpful information about baby, birth and beyond, go to my blog page for more helpful blog posts from your Richmond baby and family photographer.

The NHS also has great advice about postpartum support – do reach out if you need any.

If you live in Hampton Court, Roehampton, Molesey, Kingston upon Thames, Sheen, Worcester Park or Chessington and are looking for a newborn photographer, reach out here to find out more about booking a natural baby photoshoot near you.