Positive postnatal plan

Planning for the 4th trimester is just as important as your birth plan. I have put together a positive postnatal plan below that should help you think about and plan for your essential postpartum needs. positive postnatal plan 

Environment 

I wish for my postnatal environment to feel: 

 

I will plan for and achieve this by: 

 

Visitors 

We understand that our family and friends will be excited to meet our new baby but we have decided for the well being of ourselves and our family to accept: 

……… Visitors in the first week for up to ……… hours

…….. Visitors in the 2nd week for up to ………. hours 

This is a list of things that our visitors can help with or bring:

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Meals 

It is important to nourish myself so that I can nourish my baby and support the healing and care of my body. I have:

• Frozen meals prepared
• Gift vouchers for cook and other good sources 
• Created a meal train
• Asked for support with cooking and shopping 
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Feeding

I understand that my feeding journey may be hard and a big adjustment, I will find my local support network and use it whenever needed. 

List of local specialists, groups and support people:

 

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List of feeding supplies 

 

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Self – care 

I understand that this is a time of major transition, I matter and how I feel matters. I also understand that I cannot give from a depleted source. I will dedicate time for self-care whenever I can, even small acts of self-care and honouring matter, these are:

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Web of support 

I have chosen to call on friends, family and professionals who can offer emotional support to me and my partner in my 4th trimester in a non-judgemental, helpful and caring way. 

Friends, family and professionals names, contact details and what they mean to you/ how they can support you 

 

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Home essentials

List of Mums essentials (tick off as you have them) 

• Breast pads 
• Maternity pads 
• Big knickers! 
• Aloe gel (for padsicles) 
• Herbal bath sitz 
• Sports bottle or straws for your water 
• Healthy snacks like energy bites
• Nipple cream
• Comfort measures such as: lavender heat pack, herbal tincture or remedy, homeopathic remedies, ibuprofen
• Notepad/diary. This is great to keep track of baby feeding times and habits, changes you notice in baby. Record your gifts and who to thank and to write down your thoughts and feelings. 

List of newborn essentials 

• Muslins lots of them! 
• Bibs lots of them!
• 6 sleepsuits 
• 6 vests
• Depending on time of year 2 cardigans 
• Coat 
• Blanket 
• Sling 
• Car seat

 

Notes

 

Useful books

• The first 40 days -  Heng Ou
• The fourth trimester - Kimberly Ann Johnson 
• The food of love - Kate Evans
• The positive breastfeeding book -  Amy Brown 
• Informed is best - Amy Brown
• The Rainbow way, cultivating creativity in the midst of motherhood - Lucy H Pearce 

 

Useful websites, blogs and podcasts

• Honest mamas – Spotify podcast                
• Juno – magazine 
• Magamama – podcast
• Happy place, Fearne Cotton – podcast                      
• wellnessmama.com
• Babywearing.co.uk
• Laleche.org.uk
• Raising good humans - podcast 
• The heavy flow - podcast 
• Motherhood sessions - podcast 
• The Birth Gem Doula Blog 
• Mother.ly - website, blogs, facebook page & podcast