Original URL: http://life.familyeducation.com/postpartum/health/42940.html

Postpartum Recovery: 1 Year After Birth

What Hurts:

• Breastfeeding, if baby has teeth!

What Works:

• All systems are go! It's taken time, energy and hard work, but your life is going smoothly now.
• Baby is on schedule and sleeps through the night most of the time.

What Doesn't Work:

• Baby's schedule is probably not perfect all the time!

What Spells Trouble:

• Tending to baby's care but ignoring your own.
• Missing your yearly exam and Pap smear.

It's OK If:

• You are considering another pregnancy.

Don't Look Now, But . . .

• Your body is returning to its prepregnancy shape. Your tummy is flat, you've lost most of the pregnancy weight and you feel great.

Remember to:

• Continue taking care of yourself. Eat nutritiously, get enough rest and continue exercising.
• Write down feelings about this time in your life. Encourage your partner to do the same.

Call in the Troops:

• Sharing childcare can be a good way to develop baby play groups. Interacting with other children is good for baby.

Stop and Smell the Roses:

• Baby's 1st birthday is just around the corner. Celebrate!
• Enjoy baby's first words, first steps and every other "first" that will happen.
• Continue taking pictures of baby.

Red Light, Green Light

• Red Light—Don't compare yourself to any other women who have a child the same age. You're all different, and so are your babies! Every baby reaches milestones at the right age for him or her.
• Green Light—If you're considering another pregnancy soon, think about all the things you want to do before you get pregnant, such as getting your weight under control, discussing medication use with your doctor and addressing other health issues.