Ask The Expert Series: Postpartum Recovery Tips for New Mothers

Dear user, thank you for your entry. Breastfeeding mothers should have a balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, protein foods and dairy daily. Safe foods include chicken, beef, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, oats, bread, spinach, broccoli, tofu, nuts, oranges, bell peppers. Furthermore, certain herbs, spices and supplements may benefit in postpartum healing, such as ginger, garlic, and fenugreek. Do note that additional supplements may be recommended by a medical professional if you are vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant or do not have sufficient exposure to sunshine. Also, alcohol should only be consumed after breastfeeding or 3 hours before breastfeeding to avoid high amounts of alcohol in the breastmilk.


Dear user, thank you for your entry. A postpartum woman is vulnerable to wound infection at the vagina or at the C-section scar, so caring for the wound is very important. Another infection that she may suffer from is mastitis, which is infection of the breast, which is commonly caused by stasis of breastmilk in the milk ducts. Consistent breastfeeding and thorough expression of breastmilk for the entire breast can help reduce stasis.

Dear user, thank you for your entry. With a post delivery perineum wound, do keep the wound clean by gently washing with clean water and avoid straining or stretching the perineal area. If any abnormal pain, swelling or discharge is seen a few days post delivery, do seek a medical professional's advice for an examination of the wound.

Dear user, thank you for your entry. Recovery comes in many forms namely: biologically, psychologically and socially. With a perineal wound or C-section wound, keeping the wound clean and avoiding strenuous activities will encourage healing. Childbirth is a stressful event, so recounting this event to a loved one will help with dealing with all the new emotions of happiness, excitement and also anxiety. Lastly, engaging your social support network to aid in chores in daily living and running errands will help support the new member of the family, and allow the mother to focus on recovering while enjoying the moment in her new role.

Dear user, thank you for your entry. Breastfeeding will consume extra 330-500 kilocalories per day, and this additional calories required will be dependent on the mother’s age, BMI, activity level and extent of breastfeeding (exclusively breastfeeding vs breastfeeding and formula feeding). Generally, with the appropriate nutrition, breastfeeding mothers would generally lose weight and return to pre-pregnancy weight 6-12 months post delivery, with the most weight loss in the first 6 weeks.