Healthy Skin, Happy Mom Pt. II: Life After Baby, Now What?

Nine months have passed and you now hold your bundle of joy in your arms. But just because that chapter is closed, doesn't mean you're in the clear. Skin care is still an important factor for new mothers after giving birth.
If you thought having your baby was going to solve all of your problems with skin care and allow you to go back to your daily regimen, you are greatly mistaken. First-time mothers I've got bad news for you: skin care during your pregnancy was just the tip of the iceberg, as new mother's have even more work to do to maintain their skin.

Being pregnant changes your body completely and giving birth allows your body to attempt getting back to its pre-baby state. During this time, you are in the throes of learning how to take care of your newborn and that brings about health situations all its own concerning your skin. Here are a few steps you can follow to continue a good skincare regimen long after your baby is born:

Sleep is still a necessity for new mothers, but given that the typical newborn awakens every three hours, the rest you enjoyed while you were pregnant is no longer an option. A helpful tip provided by Chop.edu is to sleep whenever the baby sleeps, even if it's a short nap. The naps may be only a few minutes but, as you'll find out in the weeks to come, that's better than nothing.

Stress should be kept to a minimal, if not eliminated completely. New mothers should be relieved of all household duties for the first few weeks after giving birth. Dads, it's time to do the cleaning, wash the dishes and prepare the meals! Giving new mothers this time off not only allows them to properly take care of the baby, but to take care of themselves. Stress can manifest itself as bad skin, so happy, stress free mothers means healthy and happy skin. Continue to moisturize constantly to maintain a stretch mark free body and drink plenty of fluids.

When it comes to having children, no part of your body is safe when it comes to skin damage. This also includes breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a very special and emotional time for many new mothers, but this process also involves skin care as well. According to Babycareadvice.com, many new mothers make mistakes breastfeeding that result in breast infections or other skin problems. The nipple is a very sensitive area that becomes your baby's territory during the breastfeeding stage. While tenderness of the nipple during the first two weeks of breastfeeding is normal, any burning, itching, throbbing or shooting pains is not normal, according to Babycareadvice.com. If nipple soreness persists for more than two weeks post delivery, see your doctor immediately to avoid the possibility of an infection.

If breastfeeding improperly, nipples can be prone to damage, including inflammation, cracks, swelling and mastitis (breast infection). To avoid these painful circumstances, make sure that your baby is latching on correctly when feeding. Change your position or the baby's when feeding to see what is more comfortable. To keep your baby from clamping down on your nipple (which can cause cracks and bleeding), make sure your baby latches on in a way that he/she won't have to tug or pull on the nipple, and can snuggly fit the nipple into the mouth without any discomfort to you.

Another way you can take care of your breasts/nipples is to avoid prolonged periods of moisture, which increases the risk of skin damage. After breastfeeding, dry the skin right away and avoid wearing soggy breast pads. Just as with the rest of your skin, stay away from shampoos and soaps that strip away your natural oils. Don't use nipple ointments or creams that need to be washed off before breastfeeding. There are many products available for the nipple area that are strong enough to ward off skin damage, yet gentle enough to use during breastfeeding without harming the baby. Products such as Belli's Pure Comfort Nursing Cream will provide relief from any skin damage caused by breastfeeding.

Proper skin care, along with a nutritious diet, plenty of sleep and exercise will help your body bounce back from months of physical toll and allow you to enjoy your new life and role as a mother.

Source: www.skincare-news.com