Are you pregnant and still not sure what postpartum —also called the puerperium —involves? This article answers the most important questions . It was written in close collaboration with our LILLYDOO midwife, Sissi Rasche. She is an expert in the field and a true advocate for postpartum care—something we sometimes overlook, even though it is so important. Let’s start at the beginning:

What is postpartum or puerperium?

The postpartum period is the first phase after childbirth, during which the new parents and the newborn begin to get to know each other. The mother spends most of her time in bed, physical activity is greatly reduced, and those first family moments are enjoyed intensely.

How long does the postpartum or puerperium last?

Our midwife Sissi recommends taking as much time for the postpartum period as you need. Ideally, it should last eight weeks . However, for many moms, that can feel like too much time, so they significantly shorten the postpartum period or skip it altogether—sometimes simply because they don’t know how important it is. Ultimately, it is always a personal decision how long you want to take. But every mother should at least take advantage of the assisted postpartum period , which begins on the first day after childbirth and lasts ten days.

Why is postpartum recommended?

The first period after childbirth is especially important for you and your baby to create a bond. strong bond The postpartum period offers the ideal environment to feel and enjoy the intense closeness between you. Your partner also has the opportunity to get to know every inch of your little adventurer and every facet of their small personality.

Furthermore, giving birth is always a physical challenge and often also emotional . Therefore, postpartum is also a time of recovery . It allows you to rest, recover, and heal from childbirth-related injuries. Additionally, babies and moms usually need some time in the first few weeks after birth to develop a breastfeeding routine . Sometimes there is also an accumulation of milk or other breastfeeding problems. That is why it is good to have enough time and tranquility to practice breastfeeding during postpartum.

And finally, but not least, postpartum also helps you find your own family dynamic. After all, a new family member can sometimes change things significantly.

How to get through postpartum?

Sissi highly recommends skin-to-skin contact with your baby during the postpartum period to strengthen the bond between you and your little one. For an ideal recovery, you should also make sure you get enough rest and sleep . If you breastfeed, you will be awake every two or three hours during the first few weeks, which can be very exhausting. That’s why it’s advisable to always try to sleep when your baby sleeps . This way, you’ll be better prepared for the beautiful—but demanding—day-to-day life with a baby.

Sissi advises taking postpartum literally and spending most of the day in bed , especially at the beginning. Save longer walks for when you have more energy, and try to stick to shorter walks around the house to support recovery. A key part of recovery is also a balanced diet , which benefits both you and your little adventurer. The best choices are healthy, energizing foods , such as homemade soups, which are gentle on the stomach.

It is also helpful to develop routines during the puerperium that you can continue in everyday life with your baby. For example, a daily massage for the baby and, once the postpartum period ends and you are able to stand for longer periods again, carrying your baby regularly in a baby carrier scarf . In the first weeks, a baby wrap is also a wonderful way for your partner to stay very close to your baby.

Additionally, we encourage you to let a few things go during the postpartum period. You don’t have to be perfect for visits . Instead, you can finally accept kind offers of help from family and friends without feeling guilty. You’ll see: it won’t just make you happy—it will make them happy, too. And you’ll have more time to enjoy the bond with your baby.

If you follow these recommendations and take good care of yourself, you can help prevent the so-called . Feeling down and unmotivated is often the result of not sleeping and resting enough.

What role does my midwife play during the postpartum?

Sissi , the matron from LILLYDOO, knows all about the essential role of midwives during this period. She is with her patients almost every day for postpartum care and therefore knows firsthand that midwives can be a great support during the postpartum period.

The tasks of a midwife during postpartum are varied: she monitors the mother’s physical and emotional well-being , the recovery process, the healing of wounds, and the loquios . She also checks the baby’s overall development and growth. This includes weighing the baby, inspecting the contents of the diaper, and observing their behavior while breastfeeding.

But there is another area of responsibility that is just as important: emotional support for the parents, especially the mother. The mother is often less emotionally balanced due to hormones and, especially with a first baby, so many new experiences can feel overwhelming. If the mother develops postpartum depression , midwives often recognize early on when it’s time to seek help . Midwives also support you with breastfeeding practice and in case of breastfeeding problems.

How do I prepare (and prepare those around me) for postpartum?

Sissi advises discussing how you want to organize the postpartum period before the birth. You can go through the following questions with your partner:

• ¿Quién se encargará de la casa? During the postpartum period, there are more important things than vacuuming and doing laundry. However, keep in mind that it doesn’t make much sense to put all household chores on your partner. After all, they also need time with the baby. One solution could be to hire domestic help during the postpartum period, if you can afford it, or ask family for support.

• ¿Cuándo y con qué frecuencia pueden ellos? come the visits ? It’s understandable that family and friends want to meet the new family member. But during the postpartum period, the focus is on the baby, on you, and on your partner. That’s why Sissi’s rule is: only one visit per day. And all help is welcome.

• ¿¿¿Qué se puede preparar??? The most sensible approach is to cook in advance and freeze meals so you don’t have to spend too much time at the stove during postpartum. That way, you can enjoy your favorite food with minimal effort. Additionally, at LILLYDOO we make your life easier with diapers and baby products that adapt to any lifestyle: with the LILLYDOO monthly box , diapers are delivered directly to your home, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about during postpartum.

Finally, here’s exclusive advice from our midwife Sissi : get an abdominal belt before giving birth and wear it regularly during postpartum. This type of belt helps the abdominal muscles return to their original position more quickly, supports postpartum recovery , and gives you a reassuring feeling of stability , especially after a cesarean section .

We hope this article has answered your most frequently asked questions about postpartum. If you’d like to know more, your matron will be happy to help and advise you.

We wish you a relaxing and special postpartum!