During the five or six weeks following childbirth, the mother requires special post-natal care. It is advisable for her to stay at home for some ten days in order to rest and allow her genital organs to return to their usual position. Often the uterus is overweight after childbirth, but is subsequently returns to normal. To begin with, it can sometimes lack elasticity as well.
As of the third or fourth week, the mother can attend to household tasks without feeling fatigued, but should avoid carrying heavy weights, climbing too many stairs, or traveling by motorcar.
Some women still feel pain three or four days after childbirth. Their breasts may hurt once they begin breast-feeding their child, and this can have repercussions on the uterus. Abdominal bandages may be used because they not only make the woman feel that she is comfortable, but support the abdominal wall while at the same time -exerting slight pressure on the womb.
The mother should wear a bra, preferably cotton, to support the breasts from crushing. The child should suck at the mother’s breast, since this helps the milk to rise. The nipples will swell and harden due to the influx of liquid. During the lactation period, the mother should take special care of her breasts. It is important for her thoroughly to wash the nipples in boiled water both before and after each breast-feeding session. Having done this, she can smear a little oil or cream on the nipples to prevent painful fissures.
Should the mother suffer from breast fissures, sores or irritations, we recommend that she wash the breasts in a camomile, (flower) an aromatic solution. Put 12 heads of camomile in 3/, litre of Evian mineral water. Boil for four to five minutes, then drain off the solution obtained. This preparation can be used for several washes in a single day, but only the quantity required for each respective wash need be heated in a saucepan. Apply the solution using a light lukewarm compress on the breasts, such as absorbent cotton soaked in the solution. Having thoroughly patted (and not rubbed) them dry, very gently massage the breasts with a pommade, cream bottled French spring water. If not available, use any pure spring or well water recommended by the doctor (e.g. Ceratum) available at the chemist’s, and cover them with a compress of soft gauze.
In India, the Yogis state that the best foodstuffs for a breast-feeding mother are cereals, vegetables, fruit and dairy products, with water and milk to drink
Originally posted 2009-03-19 17:00:11.