Eat well

	Healthy foods
	3 meals a day
	Avoid alcohol consumption (CNS depressant)
	Limit caffeine consumption (CNS stimulant)
	Avoid smoking (CNS stimulant)

Establish a routine

	Get up and go to bed at the same time each day whenever possible
	Sleep when the baby sleeps

Take time for herself

	Exercise
	Maybe just a few "quiet minutes"
	Do something she enjoys--read, crafts, etc.
	Do something that makes her laugh
	Keep company with positive people
	Spend time in outdoor light
	Avoid being alone

Keep a journal

	Express "good" and "bad" feelings
	Stay positive
	Take one day at a time

Plan her day but set realistic goals for the day

Do not make major changes

Do something nice for someone else

Accept help:

	With meals, accept meals/food friends and family send
	With household chores--cleaning, laundry
	Let others provide baby care/take brief breaks from the baby

Learn techniques for consoling her baby

	Offer a pacifier
	Talk quietly
	Swaddle, cuddle
	Rock/walk
	Dim the lights
	Play soft music
	Use boundaries Limits restless behavior, contains them Soothes & quiets them Makes them feel more secure
	Allow baby to cry for short periods, after checking to see that they are safe, dry and fed
	Again, perhaps a brief break from the baby

Encourage them to be empathetic and patient with mom

Actively participate in baby care

	Rock, cuddle baby
	Feedings If bottle feeding--assume some night feedings, others during the day as work schedule permits If breastfeeding--burp baby at the end of a feeding, rock or cuddle baby after feedings
	Bathing & Diapering

Actively participate in household responsibilities

	Do laundry
	Cook meals, clean up afterward
	Straighten up around the house
	Run errands
	Older children Get them dressed in the morning--or--let mom do and assume responsibility for baby care Get them ready for bed--or--let mom do and assume responsibility for baby care Assist with homework, prn
	Be a "gate keeper" Visitors are great!!...........Family and friends mean well, they're excited and happy for you and your family.....but if they tire or overwhelm mom and/or baby, be the one to suggest they limit the time they visit or visit at another time Same for phone calls...especially if mom and baby are resting

If mom experiences any of the following she should call her healthcare provider:

	Mood swings or feelings of depression lasting for more than a few days after the birth of the baby
	Inability to cope with Daily activities for herself, household Caring for the baby
	Strong feelings of depression or anger 1-2 months after birth of the baby
	Inability to sleep more than 2 hours at night, unrelated to providing baby care

If mom experiences any of these medication-related effects, she should call the prescribing physician:

	Blurred vision
	Tinnitus (ringing or tinkling sound in the ear)
	Sore throat
	Fever
	Rash
	Rapid or irregular heart beat
	Nausea/vomiting
	Abdominal pain
	Sleeping excessively
	Insomnia
	Restlessness
	Fainting
	Hallucinations
	Loss of coordination
	Seizures

If mom experiences any of the following, she should immediately contact a neighbor, friend or family member AND call 911:

	Thoughts of hurting or killing herself
	Thoughts of hurting or killing the baby or other children in the home
	Thoughts that her baby is evil
	Hearing voices
	Seeing things