Resting after childbirth
For the first few weeks after birth, it is vital for the mother and baby to rest and adjust to their new life. In cultures throughout the world, resting is considered an important part of recuperation. In India, the mother and baby rest in bed for eleven days and are then given a bath.A special party is given at that time to celebrate the arrival of new life. In Indonesia and Malaysia, on weekly basis, the new mother has a massage, using oils and special herbs, which help her body to return to its natural condition. The women's stomach is also wrapped with a sarong to support and strengthen the muscles. In Europe, the resting period is up to six weeks. In many Catholic countries the baby remains in the home until he is christened.
The actual length of time of lying-in varies slightly but it is generally considered that at a number of weeks are necessary for the mother and baby to remain at home. After birth, the baby needs to be kept quiet so he can get used it to his new environment.
During this period he should receive little stimulation and stay inside and close to the mother. This is very important because the baby's internal condition is not yet stable and his bones need time to realign after labor. Too many visitors and loud noise can make him more demanding and fussy. This is considered a special time for the mother and baby to bond and get to know each other.
In many traditional cultures, it is recommended that the mother should remain in bed for up to two weeks. Complete bed rest enables her to recover more quickly from the effects of pregnancy and labor. Family, relatives and friends are asked to help out with the cooking, cleaning and to take care of the other children. The mother is encouraged to rest completely with little reading, television or talking on the phone. These activities are considered too stimulating and detract from the natural healing process. Visitors are also kept to a minimum.
After the baby is born, mothers often feel a strong surge of vitality, which can give them a false sense of euphoria. At this time, a woman's energy is needed to heal her body after the exhaustive process of labor and delivery and is best directed internally. Many mothers make the mistake of feeling so good that they rush to get up and go out shopping or to visit friends. However if you don't get sufficient rest in the first few weeks, you can feel very tired and depleted in the months to follow. If the mother is tired then the baby will become more demanding and cranky.
In order achieve the rest you need when the baby is born, read more
