member services:
1-888-301-1228
/TTY
1-888-310-7347
postpartum care
PREGNANCY AND NEW PARENT
E-NEWSLETTER
It’s easy to sign up for
Pregnancy
and
New Parent
e-newsletters. To subscribe, visit
You’ll start
receiving your e-newsletter right away!
As a new mom, you’re busier
than ever. You’re tending to
your baby around the clock.
At the same time, your
body is healing from the
hard work of giving birth. So
be sure to tend to your own
needs too.
Eating well and resting
are now more important
than ever. So is seeing your
Provider for a checkup.
A must-have visit.
You’ll
need a postpartum checkup
about four to six weeks after
giving birth. Earlier if you
POSTPARTUM VISIT
New moms need checkups too
When it comes to feeding
your baby, Mother Nature
knows best. Breast milk
has just what a baby needs
to grow and thrive. Plus,
breastfeeding is good for you.
Here are some of the
bene ts you’ll both enjoy.
For baby.
Breast milk has
the right mix of protein, fat,
sugar and water. It’s easy for
a baby to digest.
Breast milk also helps
protect against illness, such
as ear infection. It lowers
the risk of SIDS (sudden
infant death syndrome).
And breastfed babies have
a lower risk for asthma and
diabetes later in life.
For you.
Breastfeeding
may help you burn calories
and lose baby weight faster.
Plus, it can lower your risk
of breast cancer, diabetes
and other illnesses. And
don’t forget all that bonding
time with your little one. It’s
priceless.
Ways and means.
Before
Breastfeeding: Good for baby—and for you
your baby arrives, take a
birthing class. You’ll learn
great tips for how to feed
your baby.
Know that it can take
some time for you and your
baby to get the hang of
things. Talk to a lactation
consultant for help. Your
Provider can also help.
Be sure to go to your
checkups after your baby
is born too. Your Provider
will check your overall
health. And you can ask any
had a cesarean section—
about two weeks after the
surgery.
Either way, this is a
chance for your Provider to:
Be sure you’re recovering
well from giving birth.
See if you can get back to
normal activities.
Your turn to talk.
is is
also your chance to bring
up any concerns you might
have about your recovery
and your body. You can ask
your Provider about:
Breastfeeding.
questions you still have
about breastfeeding.
It’s best to give your baby
breast milk for as long as
possible—a year or more. If
you have to go back to work,
don’t worry. You can pump
breast milk so your baby can
have it in a bottle when you
are at work.
No matter how long or
short a time you breastfeed
your baby, be glad you did.
You’ll know you gave your
baby a great start.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; March
of Dimes; National Institutes of Health
Birth control.
Weight loss.
Your diet and staying t.
Your emotions.
Feeling low?
Some women
become depressed after
having a baby. is can
happen to any mom.
If you feel sad, tell your
Provider. He or she can help
you feel like yourself again.
Source: Office on Women’s Health
winning
health
3
