Replying to Avatar j@nostr.me

Congratulations! I'm a new mom too and it's been a RIDE! If you're planning on a natural birth (recommended, as recovery is much faster than c section), I'd recommend reading "Nurture" by Erica Chidi Cohen. But I'd say try and read more books about child development rather than the birth — it seemed scary to me so I spent most of the pregnancy reading about a dozen books on the birth but honestly it's usually over pretty quickly, and then you have a helpless little human on your hands, and it'll make you feel a bit helpless too! I would have liked to be armed with more info beforehand.

If breastfeeding (also recommended - I see ppl have mentioned it above already), watch out for when your milk "comes in" (day 3-5 ish postpartum). It comes in FAST and you'll do well to be prepared in order to avoid a lot of discomfort or even worse, mastitis. For me, warm compresses and two Haakaas to help drain the milk was essential, as well as constant firm (but gentle) massage of the general chest area. Breastmilk is also great applied to baby's skin for just about any skin issue they have, so save every bit you can!

The early days are brutal, as your hormones change dramatically. Give yourself plenty of grace, have a "team" in place to support you emotionally and physically (food, hydration, extra hands for baby and anything else) and remember always to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others, and yes, that includes your child! Good luck, excited for you!

thanks for the recommendations! I'm hoping for a vaginal birth too. the idea of having to get cut open to retrieve my child is scary.

I haven't read that many birthing or pregnancy books. most of my reads have been child development. A book that was recommended to me that I really liked was Your Self Confident Baby by Magda Gerber.

followed you! :)

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Thanks! I quite like Good Inside by Becky Kennedy as well.

One more thought about breastfeeding, one of the best comments I've heard on it is: "it's natural, but it doesn't come naturally" — most new moms I know have had a hard time. Try and find a good lactation consultant or postpartum doula to come check in on you after you come out of the hospital, I'd say 2-3 times for the first week or so would be ideal, and then prob just as needed after!

that's what I've heard too about it not coming naturally! I'll look into a lactation consultant 👍