We welcomed our baby boy, Veer Singh, into this world on Christmas Day, December 25. Since then, it has been quite the whirlwind and the little guy is already 3 weeks old! It’s been 3 weeks of baby snuggles, long nights and adjusting to a whole new lifestyle. I spoke so much and openly about my pregnancy on my blog and I feel it’s important to share postpartum updates as well. Postpartum can be a crazy time and we need to remember to take care of ourselves as well.
Before I hop into the current state of things let me rewind three weeks back. We were discharged from the hospital after spending the standard 2 night stay for a normal delivery. The first week at home flew by. My parents arrived the day we were discharged from the hospital in order to help us out which in hindsight I am so grateful for. You really don’t understand or realize how slow the recovery process is even if you have a normal delivery (still recovering weeks later)! Basically when I left the hospital everything hurt and my legs/feet were super swollen so I left wearing flip flops and a gown #noshame.
The first week was spent trying to figure things out with a newborn and taking it slowly. The little guy was born weighing in at 6lbs (which I couldn’t believe since I gained 43 pounds during my pregnancy!!) I thought for sure he was going to be a “big baby.” He lost a few ounces after his birth (which is normal) so our goal was to bring his weight back up to his birth weight. In order to do this my main focus was to feed him every 2 hours day and night. The things that I find most helpful for breastfeeding is nursing tanks, nursing pillow, haakaa, nipple butter, water bottle and burp cloths. I also got the Spectra S1 pump which I have not yet used.
The first week was also filled with the similar routine that I had in the hospital post delivery - maxi pads, peri bottle, ice packs, witch hazel pads and Dermoplast spray. I did purchase the Frida Mom Postpartum Essentials Kit which was good although I left the hospital with alot of supplies - the best product from the Frida Mom line would be the peri bottle (if you don’t decide to buy anything from this line definitely get the peri bottle). I did go overboard and purchased the Always underwear that so many people recommended and additional maxi pads but the hospital had provided so many the postpartum supplies I never got around to using the items I had purchased on my own.
Once we hit week 2 things started getting better. I had more energy and we felt as though we had the beginnings of a routine. We were still doing 2 hour feedings but things were getting easier. Week 3 then came and things got even better. The little guy gained back his weight and even a few additional ounces so we were able to go longer stretches for feedings. It was nice having my parents around as we were able to run out and do a few super quick errands and also started taking short walks around the neighborhood. In terms of my postpartum recovery it’s still going but things are soo much better.
One last thing is that you’ll surprise yourself at how strong you are and what you are capable of. Before Veer was born I was so nervous about everything - how to change a diaper, swaddle, feeding, etc. but the amount of love you feel for your baby the moment you meet them and the instincts that take over will surprise you! Being with the little guy is pure joy and he brightens up our day each and every day.
