Return to You: A Postpartum Plan for New Moms

“Happy and healthy mama equals happy and healthy baby,” insists pediatrician Sriraman in her debut, an empowering look at the early postpartum period. Noting that America’s insurance-based health care model, in which a new mother’s first medical visit isn’t until six weeks after delivery, often leaves women feeling “hopeless and helpless,” Sriraman encourages parents to start planning for rest, support, nutrition, and childcare before the baby arrives. She urges new mothers to relax and allow their partners and family to help even if they do tasks differently, but also to set appropriate boundaries with visitors. Indeed, mental health is key: Sriraman writes that intrusive thoughts are common, recommends self-screening with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and suggests readers resist fearmongering about taking meds while breastfeeding (she suggests consulting a breastfeeding medication specialist). Sriraman is vehement about prioritizing a mother’s sleep, too, and advises that partners should step up to help with feeding to allow for five to six hours of uninterrupted rest every night. While Sriraman’s tone for the most part strikes a nice balance between compassionate and authoritative, some of her advice on “just” letting go can occasionally come off as patronizing. Even so, expectant parents worried about the postpartum period will find this a solid resource. (June)