The first 1000 days is the period of life that runs from pregnancy to the child's second birthday. We now know that this is a key period for a child's development, their health, and that of the adult they will become. Marine Dubel-Jam, a midwife passionate about her profession, reminds us that it begins with the mother's morale and experiences during this time.

This is why it is important to focus on the fragile postpartum period, which generally runs from childbirth to the return of menstruation, and the duration of which can vary from one woman to another.

A midwife's 8 tips for a successful postpartum experience:

• Encourage good hydration and good nutrition through nutritious and tasty dishes that are good for you, especially during breastfeeding which requires a lot of resources from the bodies of new mothers.

A tip: prepare a few balanced meals before giving birth and freeze them for those busy evenings in the first few weeks.

• Take time for yourself... and really do it! We're not counting the chores that go into running the house, the laundry, the dishes piling up in the sink. We're talking about a moment to take care of your body and mind consciously. Take a breath, even if it lasts just half an hour, and refocus on what you're feeling.

A gesture: I like the idea of ​​self-massaging in the evening just before bedtime with a small bottle of oil that you leave near the bed to remind yourself. Drain your legs from bottom to top and make circular movements on your stomach. With a large glass of water or an infusion, the young mother falls asleep peacefully.

• Sleep as soon as you can. Yes, when you "can" because sleep deprivation is real and it is often the most difficult thing to accept and tolerate in the postpartum period. How many mothers have trouble visualizing the end of the tunnel! So we rest, as soon as our newborn sleeps, as soon as someone we trust is available to take care of them for a few hours and we feel less guilty about not giving this time to other things, nothing is more essential than recovery.

A phrase to repeat to yourself: “ Whatever happens… everything passes! ”

• Dare to say when things aren't going well. To those around you when possible, of course, but also and especially to perinatal health professionals who are there to talk with you about it, differentiate between mild "baby blues" and postpartum depression, and give you the keys to getting through it. Even if this may be how you feel during this period, you are not alone. Don't want to have people over to the maternity ward or at home after giving birth? This choice must be respected by those close to you. On the other hand, if you need a lot of support, ask these people to help you with time-consuming tasks while spending quality time with them.

Food for thought: we have never seen mothers so rested in the postpartum period as during the Covid period with the ban on visits... Be careful, I am not talking here about the presence of the father/co-parent who was very essential, but about the rest of the family.

Newborns also had less evening shock crying because they were not passed from arm to arm in a noisy environment.

The mothers were rarely in tears, because sometimes certain harmless remarks from people who are close to them can be the source of a lot of doubts and hurts...

• Take a break for two. Whether it's a restaurant down the street or a weekend away two hours away after three weeks or three months... The important thing is to do it at your own pace.

Postpartum can be a time of great misunderstanding, as it represents such a huge upheaval for everyone involved. Hitting the pause button in this unprecedented whirlwind of life for the couple will allow them to debrief on the journey they've taken and open up communication for the future.

A destination: thalassotherapy centers and hotel spas often offer long or half-day treatments dedicated to mothers with moments of relaxation and rest.

• Get back into movement at your own pace. You can gently start moving your body again as soon as you feel like it, without necessarily waiting for the famous perineal rehabilitation. Some women, who were previously very athletic, sometimes struggle to wait for the green light from healthcare professionals to resume an activity. You can definitely imagine long walks with your stroller or a baby sling, adapting your pace to your fatigue and any pain. Gentle gymnastics on a mat at home without putting tension on your pelvic floor can also do a lot of good to reconnect with this new body and release tension.

A misconception: in reality, moving allows you to recover more quickly after giving birth, including when it was by cesarean section.

• Look at your body with kindness. It's essential to understand how our incredible body was able to adapt to create a human being in a few months, and then the time it will take to readjust. This can be very difficult to accept, and not all women are equal, but it's a time frame to allow yourself without pressure.

• Share and support each other. If you know someone who is currently in the postpartum period, don't hesitate to ask about their condition, not just the newborn. Dare to ask the mother how she's feeling and what she needs. This exchange is essential to combat the isolation some new mothers feel.

Aime has always aimed to support women at every stage of their lives, with food supplements and treatments that are good for them.

Postpartum Selection Likes :

- The collagen range which allows physical recovery after childbirth.

- The Sleep & Glow sleep food supplement makes it easier to fall asleep.

- The hormonal acne food supplement Balance & Glow to rebalance the skin.

- The Hair & Scalp Boost food supplement to limit postpartum hair loss.

- The Brush & Glow body brush for dry brushing that stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.