A pregnancy doesn't last nine months , we can't say that enough. Once the baby arrives, the body is far from finished! It will still be very busy : breastfeeding for those who choose to do so, recovering from childbirth and its minor - or major - aches and pains, adapting to the new rhythm... This is one of the times when it is necessary - even more! - to take care of it. Why is it being put under strain and how can you boost it? Breathe, we'll guide you.
Postpartum, fatigue and slow body ( spoiler: it’s not our best life )
Between lack of sleep, raging hormones, and sometimes raging anxiety, the body is anything but at rest during the postpartum period. Many factors are responsible for all this chaos :
> Hormones in free fall ( but less fun than a parachute jump )
When you gave birth, you said goodbye to progesterone and estrogen (which were produced in the placenta throughout pregnancy), hormones that have a calming, soothing effect. This sudden drop, which occurs within two days of giving birth, is often the trigger for the “baby blues” period .
> Deficiencies
Between the baby who has been helping himself to the reserves for nine months, the possible breastfeeding which requires additional energy (as well as vitamins and minerals), the meals that are not your priority… your body finds itself deficient. Particularly iron, very often: if women often tend to be anemic because of their periods, this is even more true during pregnancy (a period during which the needs are even greater) and after. In the weeks following childbirth, bleeding (called lochia) occurs. This is normal but also contributes to the deficiency, and therefore to fatigue.
> Expressing your milk
The breastfeeding process sometimes adds to the list of challenges. It's not just a matter of time and energy, but also a personal decision that unfortunately intertwines with societal pressures. It's essential to remember that breastfeeding isn't a one-size-fits-all obligation: every woman chooses the path that suits her best, and this in no way calls into question her ability to be a great mom!
To make the breastfeeding experience smoother and less stressful, equipping yourself with a portable electric breast pump can be a smart solution. Quiet and virtually invisible once properly positioned, it offers the freedom to express milk absolutely anywhere, discreetly. A real boost.
> Lack of sleep
Short, interrupted nights, a new rhythm to find with your baby, a whole new routine to (re)create, your head spinning with all the new tasks... You feel overwhelmed, and there's no time to rest and get your body back in working order. It's normal for it to end up wearing thin.
Create little routines to unwind and regain strength (physical or mental!)
Do you want to regain your strength and energy as quickly as possible? We understand! But it took you nine months to nurture your little one, and sometimes much longer to prepare for your pregnancy, so you'll need a little more patience to feel completely at ease again.
This involves simple and obvious things that you will have to really integrate into your daily life (which has exploded in flight, we know!): making time for yourself to sleep (this can involve micro-naps at the same time as your baby, for example), doing your best (but no more!), and having a balanced diet.
There's no secret: a lack of nutrients automatically leads to fatigue and slowed body function. So yes, it's tempting to save time by eating meals on the edge of the coffee table or to comfort yourself with comfort food. Treating yourself, of course, is a yes! But you need to make sure you're getting a good dose of antioxidants, calcium, vitamin B, and Omega 3.
Nutrition , the number 1 foundation for getting your body back in shape after giving birth
> Proteins and collagen: a winning energy duo
Because they help maintain muscle mass and provide energy, proteins are your allies! And among them, the one of choice is collagen. Rich in amino acids (which rhyme: glycine, proline, and glutamine), it largely makes up our bones, skin, and connective tissues; it's therefore an ideal fuel postpartum.
When it comes to food, bone broth is the most abundant source of it! Packed with a wealth of good nutrients, it's the go-to dish for new moms. However, if that doesn't appeal to you, you can get your collagen fix by supplementing with a dietary supplement.
> Calcium galore
It's no longer a secret: to develop, your baby gets everything he needs... from you! And even more so during the last trimester. To strengthen his bones and skeleton, he'll need calcium, even more so during your last trimester of pregnancy, when he's growing. The body can store calcium (in the bones) but is unable to manufacture it. Only food can therefore provide enough to meet his (growing) needs.
To refuel, eat dairy products, and alternate: goat, sheep, and cow, each brings its own bed of nutritional benefits. And to find other sources, fill your meal trays with sardines, green leafy vegetables, make snacks with oilseeds (almonds, walnuts, etc.), drink vegetable drinks (big up almond milk, spelt, oat, etc.). To meet your calcium needs (1000 to 1200 mg/day), it is recommended to have the equivalent of three dairy products per day, and to consume daily mineral waters rich in calcium if you can.
> Magnesium and vitamin B6: the morale combo
The drop in estrogen and progesterone after childbirth sometimes causes fluctuations (rather downward, let's not lie) in mood .
To "repair" our plummeting (hormone) merry-go-round, we rely on magnesium and vitamin B6, which fight stress and fatigue and balance hormones and therefore, morale. Magnesium is best answered by legumes, nuts, bananas, and chocolate (the ideal snack?). As for vitamin B6, it's found in fish and meat, mushrooms, sesame seeds, prunes... Get your menus ready!
Supplementation to get the necessary dose of vitamins
Because having a rich and varied diet is not always possible (we are well aware that it is almost impossible to have the time to prepare perfect meals every day during this period) or even sometimes sufficient, supplementing with 100% suitable food supplements is essential.
We designed our Moral Boost food supplement for just that: to help new mothers whose bodies are at their wit's end. A cocktail (but without alcohol, we know you prefer mojitos) of plants and natural vitamins, it will accompany you by supporting your physical and emotional state, reducing fatigue and stress and hopefully boosting your morale! It is compatible with breastfeeding and will make a perfect combo with our Pregnancy vitamins , which you can continue to take at the same time.
And don't forget... after Post Partum comes Good Weather ( quote by Boome, you're welcome ).
