Research-backed
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Winter is here! It’s time to get the cozy blankets, cuddly sweaters, and fuzzy socks out of your cupboards to stay warm during this season. It’s that time of the year when hot chocolate and steamed momos are a part of your evening snack, and you snuggle with your furry baby every chance you get. You have to keep yourself warm to beat the cold, especially after you’ve had a baby. Because your body has gone through a lot of changes and can experience postpartum aches. Your body is still in the recovering stage and needs enough care to get back to normal. So here are a few tips to help you care for your postpartum body aches during winter:
1. Keep Stress Levels In Check
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Your body has gone through drastic changes during pregnancy and childbirth. There is a massive dip in your hormone levels, namely estrogen, and progesterone, which may make you tired, sluggish, and possibly depressed (1). Therefore, keep your stress levels in control. It might be difficult because of all the changes but take time out of your day to relax and rest.
2. Make Time To Rest
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The last thing your body needs is for you to over-exert yourself. Between changing diapers, feeding, and sleeping cycles, you tend to forget that you need time to rest. Try to sleep when the baby sleeps. If you have help with your baby, set aside some alone time while your baby is being taken care of. It will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
3. Move That Body
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Your body might need rest postpartum, but that does not mean you stay in bed all day. Make time to exercise and move your body. Gentle exercises help you get back in shape and boost your recovery. Always ensure you consult your doctor before you commit to a postnatal exercise routine.
4. Watch What You Eat
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Exercise alone cannot help you achieve your optimal health. It’s essential to follow a healthy diet. Include many superfoods in your diet to replenish the nutrients your body needs to care for your little one and help you recover.
5. Stay Warm
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Keep yourself warm by wearing sweaters, gloves, and socks. When winter strikes, our bodies become stiff and sore because of the change in weather. Drink hot water, tea, and other beverages, and don’t forget the fuzzy blankets and woolen scarves.
What Causes Postpartum Body Aches?
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Now that you have some tips on how to take care of your postpartum body aches, let’s look at a few reasons why they occur:
- Adjusting Time
Your body gets used to specific postures during pregnancy. After nine months of nurturing a life inside you, your body needs time to adjust. While returning to the pre-pregnancy stage from the postnatal period, there are bound to be a few aches and pains.
- Insufficient Rest
With feeding cycles, diaper changes, and a crying baby, you do not have the time to get a full 8 hours of sleep, which can be tiring for the body.
- Hormonal Changes
Due to an imbalance in hormonal levels, there can be muscle and joint pains. There is a dip in estrogen and progesterone levels post-pregnancy, which can cause fatigue and restlessness (2).
- Ignoring Self Care
Who has time for self-care when there is a newborn in the house? While it might seem unnecessary to indulge in self-care after delivery, it is vital to rest, hydrate, exercise and follow a healthy diet. Forgetting to take care of yourself delays your recovery time, leaving you in pain longer.
Once you have a baby, they become the center of attention, and it becomes difficult to focus on taking care of yourself. But remember that your body needs the time to rest and recover. Therefore, make time to care for your health while you take care of a newborn. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and consult your doctor for any doubts or questions. If you found this article helpful, share it with new parents to help them too.
