Taking Care of You
You just did something incredible. And now, while everyone's attention turns to the baby — which is completely natural — it's important that someone reminds you: You need care too!
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Glazier, MD— Bluebird Kids Health
Updated May 2026
Your Body Is Recovering
Growing and delivering a baby is a lot...physically, hormonally, and emotionally. Recovery looks different for everyone, and there's no timeline you're supposed to hit.
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A few things worth knowing as you settle in at home:
Engorgement is real if you're breastfeeding
In the first few days, your milk coming in can feel intense: full, hard, and uncomfortable. Feeding frequently, warm compresses, and gentle massage can help. It does regulate. Read more about breastfeeding here.
None of this means something is wrong. But if anything feels severe or isn't improving, that's a good conversation to have with your OB or your midwife.
Taking Care of Yourself
This is harder than it sounds when you're running on no sleep and keeping a tiny human alive. But the basics matter more than ever right now.
- Rest when you can: Let yourself sit down. The mess can wait.
- Stay nourished: Keep healthy-ish snacks and a water bottle nearby. especially if you're breastfeeding.
- Accept help: It truly takes a village, and now is not the time to turn it down.
- Move gently: Short walks or light stretching can do a lot for your mood and energy when you're ready.
- Take moments for yourself: A shower, a hot cup of coffee, ten minutes on your phone. It all counts.
Your Emotions Are Valid
The days and weeks after birth can bring feelings you weren't expecting... and not always the ones you see in movies. Joy, grief, anxiety, numbness, and love can all show up at the same time. That's not a sign that something is wrong with you.
Baby blues, which includes mood swings, tearfulness, and irritability in the first 1–2 weeks, are extremely common and typically resolve on their own as your hormones stabilize.
Postpartum depression and anxiety are also common, affecting roughly 1 in 5 new mothers. They can show up anytime in the first year and not just immediately after birth. Signs to watch for include:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Feeling disconnected from your baby or like you're just going through the motions
- Anxiety that doesn't let up, intrusive thoughts, or panic
- Difficulty sleeping even when your baby is asleep
- Feeling like you're not a good mother, or that your family would be better off without you
If any of this sounds familiar, please reach out — to your OB, your midwife, a therapist, or to us. You don't have to feel this way, and you don't have to figure it out alone.
Your Relationships Are Adjusting Too
A new baby changes every relationship in your life: your partner, your friendships, your sense of self. That adjustment is real and it deserves acknowledgment.
What to expect:
- Tension with a partner in the newborn phase is incredibly common. You're both exhausted and operating in survival mode
- Friendships may shift, especially with friends who don't have kids yet
- Your identity is expanding, not disappearing, though it might feel like the latter for a while
Talking about it helps. Whether that's with your partner, a trusted friend, or a professional. Don't let it sit.
When to Reach Out
Your OB or midwife is your primary point of contact for your own postpartum care. But if you're ever in our office and something feels off — physically or emotionally — say something. We're pediatricians, not bystanders, and we're always happy to point you in the right direction.
Newborn Resource Center
When you have questions, we have answers, advice, and support.
First Visits to the Pediatrician
Your baby's first few visits are some of the most important. Here's exactly what to expect.
Your Newborn's Sleep
What's normal, what's safe, and how to survive the early weeks when sleep feels like a distant memory.
Your Newborn's Hygiene
From bath time to umbilical cord care to diapers, a simple guide to keeping your newborn clean and comfortable.
Your Newborn's Development
What to expect in your baby's first weeks and months — and how your Bluebird Kids care team tracks their growth along the way.
Feeding Your Newborn
Everything you need to know about feeding your baby — breast, formula, or both. No judgment, just support.
Finding a Pediatrician
Choosing your child's pediatrician is important. Let's make the decision easy.
