WHAT ARE THE FIRST 3 DAYS LIKE FOR MOTHER AND CHILD?
Pregnancy is a challenging yet beautiful period for a mother. Feeling your baby grow day by day in your womb, witnessing a miracle, is incomparable to anything else, and when that little being comes into the world, new days begin for the mother and child, which are more challenging than pregnancy.
These exciting first days require careful attention to the mother and baby. During this period, responsibilities also fall upon other family members as well as the mother. A mother who has just given birth may be overly irritable due to the responsibilities she has undertaken, anxiety, and fatigue. Since the first 40 days constitute the postpartum period, hormonal changes can occur in the mother, making it a psychologically difficult time. In other words, the father or other children, if any, need to be informed about this situation and provide as much support to the mother as possible.
First, let's talk about the mother's first 3 days after birth. During this period, the mother may become very sensitive, irritable, weak, and generally unwilling. In fact, this period can last for 40 days, not 3, so it is important to consult with a doctor and ensure that the necessary nutritional and sleep needs are met. A mother who has just given birth should absolutely not use sedatives, as this can be dangerous for the breastfeeding baby. After leaving the hospital, the mother must pay close attention to personal hygiene, and most importantly, not neglect breast care.
As for the baby, breastfeeding the baby in the first 3 days immediately after birth is of great importance for the baby because the milk that comes in during these 3 days has different compositions, which strengthens the baby's immune system. Therefore, we can say that the establishment of a strong foundation for a child's immune system depends on these first feedings. Additionally, care must be taken for the umbilical cord stump that is cut in these first days. In short, the baby should be kept as far away from germs as possible.
