The Early Days | Week one

Caesarean Section (C-section)

A C-section is a major surgery that involves incisions in six layers of the body, including the abdomen muscles and uterus.

Healing may take a little longer, and you may not be able to complete some tasks for the first six weeks post-birth. During recovery, you should avoid movements that cause you discomfort (like big stretching motions), avoid carrying anything heavier than your newborn and do not drive for at least two weeks postpartum (and only then if you aren’t using pain relief medication).

Follow your medical professional's instructions regarding your stitches, as they may or may not be dissolvable. You should expect tenderness at the incision site and in your abdominal area.

  • To help your recovery, we suggest you:

    Wear loose and comfortable clothing.

    Keep the wound clean. 

    Wash your hands before and after touching your wound.

    Use the Periwash Bottle with warm water to wash the area and gently pat dry (do not rub the incision).

    Avoid underwear that rubs against the C-section wound to prevent irritation and infection. Tiny Hearts Postpartum Briefs are intentionally designed to be high-waisted to avoid discomfort.

    Use cool packs to assist in soothing any pain. You can use the Tiny Hearts Hot & Cold Therapy Pack, Reusable Perineal Therapy Pack, or the Instant Perineal Cold Pack.

  • When to seek medical advice 

    • If the area becomes increasingly painful

    • Inflammation or redness of the wound

    • Discharge or oozing

    • There is a bad smell coming from the wound

    • If the stitches are coming apart/gaping along the wound

    • You have a fever

Lochia

After giving birth, you will experience bleeding from your vagina, known as lochia.

Lochia is a natural process, and the blood will initially be bright red and flow heavily. As time passes, the flow will become lighter, and the colour may change.

Lochia typically lasts 4-6 weeks but may persist longer in some cases. 

  • What can help?

    We recommend wearing our high-waisted Tiny Hearts Disposable Postpartum Briefs. As the lochia becomes lighter, you may prefer to transition to our Postpartum Pads.

    We recommend you change the briefs or pads every 2-3 hours.

  • When to seek medical advice 

    • Passing a blood clot larger than a 50-cent piece

    • Increase in blood loss 

    • Needing to change postpartum pads or briefs every two hours due to heavy bleeding

    • Notice a bad smell

    • If the bleeding continues beyond 12 weeks postpartum

    • You feel dizzy, weak, sweaty, or have trouble breathing

    • A fever

Uterine Cramps

Some women experience after-birth pains that feel similar to labour or period pain. These occur because the uterus is contracting to its pre-pregnancy size.

Breastfeeding may trigger these pains as breastfeeding stimulates the body to produce hormones that help shrink the uterus.

  • What can help?

    A warm heat pack on your lower stomach or back. You can use the Tiny Hearts Clickable Heat Therapy Packs or Hot & Cold Therapy Packs for targeted pain relief. 

    Pain relief medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

  • When to seek medical advice 

    • If you are experiencing severe pain

    • A fever

    • Unusual discharge

    • Headache

    • Nausea or vomiting

Perineum Stitches / Episiotomy

During birth, you may have received  an episiotomy or had perineum tear(s) which required stitches. 

  • What can help?

    Proper care of your stitches is essential for reducing pain and promoting healing. To care for your stitches:

    • Cleanse the area with clean, warm water using the Tiny Hearts Peri Wash Bottle to encourage healing

    • Gently pat the area dry instead of rubbing it.

    • Monitor your perineum to ensure it is healing. (Handy tip: A good way to do this is to take photos so you can keep track of how it is healing)

    • Wear loose and comfortable clothing, and avoid underwear that irritates wound. We recommend wearing the Tiny Hearts Disposable Postpartum Briefs.

    • Use the Perineal Cold Pack to reducing swelling. It may also help with relieving the pain.

    • Pain relief medication like paracetamol may help in reducing pain. 

    • Avoiding constipation

    • You can also use the peri wash bottle to spray your around your urethra while urinating if it stings initially for the first few days to help reduce the stinging.

  • When to seek medical advice:

    • Any signs of infection such as redness, swelling or heat

    • Bad smell

    • A fever

    • Severe wound pain

    • Severe headaches

    • If the wound is not healing

Breastfeeding & Leaking Breasts

Day 1: If you choose to breastfeed, this can happen as quickly as one hour after giving birth. Your body may produce colostrum (which is a thick, sticky, yellowish liquid) to feed to your baby. In the early days and weeks, some mums may experience some nipple tenderness, discomfort or pain when their baby first attaches but this should improve as the feed continues. 

Day 2-5: Between days 2-5 you will begin to produce breast milk, also known as your ‘milk coming in’. Your little one will likely have 8-12 feeds every 24 hours as they have tiny stomachs. However, it's important to remember that every baby is different, and some may require more or fewer feeds. Some things to look out for are issues such as engorgement, blocked milk ducts, cracked or bleeding nipples, mastitis, or nipple/oral thrush

  • What can help?

    Leaking breasts: 
    After starting breastfeeding or pumping, it's normal for breasts to leak milk. Use Tiny Hearts Disposable or Reusable Breast Pads inside your bra during the day and change them when they become wet. For nighttime, a sleep bra or singlet can keep the breast pads in place and provide support while sleeping. 

    Nipple pain:
    Apply nipple cream to your nipples  if there are signs of damage such as redness, grazes, cracks and bleeding.. If you need to give your nipples a break, you can use a pump.

    Pain from engorgement:
    Before a feed/pumping: Heat a Tiny Hearts Hot & Cold Therapy Pack  and place on breasts. Massage any breast lumps towards the nipple when feeding or expressing. After a feed/pump: Cool the Tiny Hearts Hot & Cold Therapy Pack and place on the affected breast(s) after feeding/expressing to reduce swelling and for comfort. 

    For engorgement or mastitis:
    Place the heated Tiny Hearts Clickable Heat Therapy Packs or Hot & Cold Therapy Pack onto the sore area on the breast to assist in minimising swelling. Use gentle massage + Warm shower or warm compress just before a feed to help encourage milk flow. Offer frequent feeds from both sides. Express when necessary for comfort (don't over express or this can stimulate more milk supply). Cold compress onto breasts after breastfeeding (for about 10-20 minutes)

  • When to seek medical advice 

    • Painful breasts

    • Hot, red and inflamed

    • Fever

    • Flu symptoms

THE FIRST MONTH

Lochia

Bleeding is likely to still be present. The flow should be lighter and you may see a change in colour to a more pink tone or darker red/brown.

  • What can help?

    You can continue to wear the Tiny Hearts Disposable Briefs or you may want to transition to the Tiny Hearts Postpartum Pads, which are specifically designed for postpartum bleeding. The Postpartum Pads are longer and wider to accommodate for any blood loss during this period.

Perineum

While some pain may still be present, the perineum area should be almost healed from any tears or cuts and you should be well on your way to recovery.

Breastfeeding & Leaking Breasts

The size of your baby’s stomach will increase after week one or two post-birth. As a result, your baby may feed more often and for longer. In general, leaking tends to stop or becomes easier to manage after a few weeks.

Constipation

Constipation is very common postpartum and is caused by hormones, reduced food intake, medication and reduced activity due to bed rest or less movement overall. 

  • What can help?

    Be sure to include a lot of high fibre fruit, vegetables and whole grains within your diet. Soluble fibre supplements and stool softeners are the next steps in order to encourage bowel movement.

ONE MONTH & BEYOND
  •

    6 Week Health Check

    You and your baby will have a  6 week health check soon. Write down any questions you have for this appointment. If you don’t have this booked in already, please book a check up with your doctor for both yourself and your baby. 

  •

    C-Section

    Focus on healing and recovery for the first six weeks. At your 6-week health check, your health practitioner will give you individual advice on your healing and what activities you are able to commence. Keep a lookout for signs of infection at the wound site.

  • Episiotomy/ Perineum Stitches

    Continue to care for your perineum. Use the Periwash Bottle to keep the area clean. At your 6-week health check, your health practitioner will give you individual advice on your healing and what activities you can commence.

  •

    Lochia

    Although it is common for lochia to last 4-6 weeks, it may continue for up to 12 weeks postpartum, if not sooner. If you still have lochia after 12 weeks and are concerned, you should contact your doctor for advice. 

  •

    Breastfeeding

    You may need to continue to use the breast therapy packs to relieve breast pain. If you have any signs and symptoms of mastitis, seek medical advice from your doctor.

    Mastitis signs and symptoms:

    • Tenderness

    • Reddened areas and uncomfortable or painful breast lumps

    • Feel generally unwell, hot and cold, achy and shivery 

    • Feel like you are getting the flu

  •

    Menstruation

    The return of a woman’s menstruation cycle after giving birth can vary significantly. If you are breastfeeding exclusively, your period may not return for several months to 1-2 years (if you continue breastfeeding). If you formula or mix feed, your period can return as early as three weeks postpartum. You can continue to use our Postpartum Briefs for regular periods. Tampons are not recommended for six weeks postpartum due to the risk of infection.