Life hacks from mums who have recently given birth: Mum's practical tips

There are lots of little tips and tricks with surprisingly big effects that can make your life easier after the birth of your baby when you are in labour. Many women who have recently given birth also share their life hacks with friends, their sister or mum. Every woman will quickly realise what works particularly well for her or is easy for her to implement. Even "my" new mothers that I look after have favourite recommendations. I have put together a small list of these for you here. 

Lukewarm showers when going to the toilet

An estimated eight out of 10 women giving birth for the first time and around half of all second-time mothers suffer so-called birth injuries during vaginal delivery. These can include small tears, bruising (Haematomas) or abrasions in the genital area, but also a perineal tear. It is considered one of the most common birth injuries, but only occurs in mild form (1st or 2nd degree) in most women affected. More severe perineal tears (3rd and 4th degree) are rare. Incidentally, episiotomy is also a type of birth injury. It is intended to prevent uncontrolled tearing of the perineal tissue and, in some cases, to accelerate the passage of the baby's head at the end of labour.

If necessary, injuries are treated medically after the birth. Abrasions and minor, superficial tears usually require no action. However, sometimes a birth injury needs to be sutured so that it can heal properly.

Regardless of this, even the tiniest birth injury can be unpleasant or painful when urinating on the toilet in the first few days after giving birth. The salts in your urine are responsible for this. If they come into contact with a wound, a slight to severe burning sensation occurs, depending on your personal perception of pain.

Lifehack of women who have recently given birth: When urinating, simply run lukewarm water between your legs over the wound. This relieves the burning sensation and also ensures that the wound is cleaned. A sufficiently large cup or bottle is suitable for this method. Some women also keep a (clean!) watering can in the bathroom for this purpose. And don't forget: After using the toilet, you should dry your genital areadab.

Midwife's tip for you: Rinsing is also important during the days you are in hospital. Rinsing with a bottle is not quite as practical on the labour ward. That's why I recommend the "Happy Po" bum douche: Here you can find my product tip for rinsing the perineum: https://amzn.to/34uzRS4

Ice packs for cooling

In the first period after giving birth, birth injuries can still hurt, especially if you put weight on them when walking or sitting. To allow your wounds to heal properly, you should lie down as often as possible. Nevertheless, movement cannot be avoided - and pain may occur.  

Lifehack of women who have recently given birth: Ice bandages, for example, can help because they have a decongestant and pain-relieving effect in the labour area. You can easily make them yourself: To do this, place sanitary towels slightly moistened with water or care oil (not dripping wet!) in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few hours. If you drip a few drops of marigold essence (calendula) on them before freezing, you will also create an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. You can also prepare ice packs before the birth so that you have them ready to hand when you need them.

However, before you place such a cooling pad in front of your genital area, be sure to let it thaw for a few minutes so that it is not hard. You can also wrap them in a thin cotton cloth to prevent cold burns from occurring in the first place.

Wear the ice bandage for about 10 to 15 minutes (or as long as you feel comfortable) before removing it again. If this cooling is good for you, you can repeat it a few times a day. However, they are only recommended for the first two days after the birth. Afterwards, you can continue to use the pads as moist compresses. Calendula essence is then still a good support for wound healing.

Midwife's tip for you: Washable cotton pads are suitable for sanitary towels. They are particularly good for wound care and are free from plastic and chemical additives. You can find my product tip for healing pads here: https://amzn.to/36aMs0k

Marigold essence is the alcoholic extract from the flowers. This supports the healing of birth injuries on the perineum and in the vagina.

Here you can find my product tip for marigold essence: https://amzn.to/3gT8yGS

Plastic bag for the sitz bath

To promote the healing of birth injuries such as a perineal tear/cut, the following applies, among other things: "Allow plenty of air to reach the wound!" However, sitz baths (maximum 37 degrees) with a healing additive are also recommended from around the fourth day.

But not every woman has a bidet at home or wants to buy a special insert for the sitz bath. Taking it in the bath with your legs up or positioning your bum in a small extra bath doesn't sound very comfortable either.

Lifehack of women who have recently given birth: Use a plastic bag. Commercially available bin liners, e.g. with a volume of approx. 30 litres, are available from any drugstore. Now pull the bag over your toilet bowl all the way round and tie it tightly around the edge. Pour your lukewarm "bath water" with the appropriate additive into the resulting hollow in the bag. Marigold essence (calendula) is particularly suitable for this. Your sitz bath is ready! But please don't leave it on for longer than 10 to 15 minutes to prevent your wound from softening.

Midwife's tip for you: Marigold essence is the alcoholic extract from the flowers. You can use it to support the healing of birth injuries on the perineum and in the vagina. You can find my product tip for marigold essence here: https://amzn.to/3gT8yGS

Gaping wounds heal wonderfully with the addition of oak bark. To do this, make a tea from cut oak bark and use it to make a sitz bath. You can find my product tip for oak bark tea here: https://amzn.to/3LJUjCC

Coconut oil against inflammation

I know many women who swear by coconut oil. Why? Because it's a good helper, they say.

Coconut oil should not be confused with coconut fat. Coconut fat is obtained from dried coconut meat and then processed further. Pressed into slabs or cubes, it is used in the kitchen for frying or roasting.

In contrast, we are talking about virgin coconut oil here. This is cold-pressed from fresh coconut meat and then not treated any further. Its consistency is more like a spreadable paste. It only becomes liquid at temperatures above 24 degrees.

Among other things, virgin coconut oil contains a high proportion of lauric acid, which has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Lauric acid is also present in breast milk in lower concentrations. Coconut oil also moisturises the skin. It therefore has positive properties that can also support wound healing. Although this has not yet been scientifically proven, I know many mums who have had good experiences with virgin coconut oil.

Lifehack of women who have recently given birth: Wiping the bum or dabbing the genital area with toilet paper can still "bite" and feel uncomfortable in the first few days after the birth. A little coconut oil on the toilet paper will provide significant relief. You can also put a few drops of virgin coconut oil on the nursing pads or dab it directly on your nipples. This prevents redness and cracks or soothes painful areas that have already developed, especially at the beginning of breastfeeding. It promotes healing and, unlike other "care products", is completely safe for your baby.

Midwife's tip for you: Coconut oil for intimate hygiene should be of certified organic quality. You can find my product tip for virgin coconut oil here: https://amzn.to/3I136

Hair tie as a style marker

Ideally, the baby should be latched onto both breasts one after the other during a breastfeeding session. This stimulates milk production better. For the next feed, start with the side of the breast on which your baby last fed. The reason for this is that your baby usually empties the first side of the breast better than the second side.

However, many breastfeeding mothers often forget which side their baby last fed on, especially in the early days.

Lifehack of women who have recently given birth: A hair tie is an uncomplicated way to help you here. Wear it on the wrist on the side that will be "on" first the next time you breastfeed. That way you won't get confused.

Midwife's tip for you: You can also have a bracelet made with your child's name. A bracelet that you don't have to take off at night is an advantage for breastfeeding. You can find my product tip for the name bracelet here: https://amzn.to/3GYjHAS

Sanitary towel as a nursing pad

In the first few weeks after giving birth, it can quickly happen that you leak milk between feeds. This can leave stains on your T-shirt or blouse. If for some reason you have just run out of nursing pads, a thin, cut-up sanitary towel or panty liner is a wonderful temporary first aid! 

Lifehack of women who have recently given birth: Practical nursing pads help to avoid this situation. There are disposable or washable reusable pads. 

Midwife's tip for you: If you have sensitive nipples, the nursing pads should definitely be permeable to air. Nursing pads made of wool and silk are particularly suitable. The silk comes into contact with the skin and supports wound healing. You can find my product tip here: https://amzn.to/3HZx4Cb

Inflamed nipples will improve if you use nursing pads that are permeable to air and have an antibacterial effect. Nursing pads that also contain silver are well suited for this. You can find my product tip for you here: https://amzn.to/33rG6bW

If you have just run out of nursing pads for any reason, a thin, cut-up sanitary towel or panty liner is a wonderful temporary first aid!