Post-Delivery Checklist

After Giving Birth: Your To-Do List.

Your top priorities now are getting rest, caring for yourself, and caring for your baby. If friends or family offer help, take it — and don’t be shy about asking, either.

If you’re breastfeeding, you might want to invest in at least two good nursing bras after your milk comes in. Many moms also find nursing tanks to be useful — they wear one instead of a nursing bra or wear one to bed. You should also have some lanolin cream designed for breastfeeding to keep your nipples from chapping or cracking.

Eat well and stay hydrated. Make sure to include lots of high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables to help prevent constipation.

Make sure you’ve filled out and submitted your baby’s birth certificate form and application for a social security card before you head home.

If you haven’t already, be sure to schedule appointments for your baby and yourself. Your newborn will be examined by a doctor two or three days after birth, and again in another week or two, or at the one-month mark. Your new mom checkup with your doctor or midwife should take place about six weeks after birth.