It is particularly important to us that, before you leave the hospital, you feel well prepared and confident in looking after your baby. We would therefore like to provide you with all the important information you’ll need for your time at home. On this page, you’ll find an overview of various topics relating to mum, baby and dad – such as nutrition, medication, breastfeeding advice, fluid intake and much more. This will ensure you are fully informed and can look forward to the postnatal period with confidence.
For the mother
Nutrition whilst breastfeeding
In principle, there is no need to change your usual diet whilst breastfeeding. We recommend a balanced, varied and healthy diet – that is, plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products, as well as meat or fish – spread over 5–6 meals. You cannot significantly influence the quality or quantity of your breast milk.
Make sure you drink enough (around 2½ litres a day). Peppermint and sage tea are not suitable, as they can reduce milk production. Up to 5 cups of coffee are fine. We recommend exercising some caution with dairy products due to the increased risk of allergies, and with foods that may affect the taste of your breast milk. These include asparagus, onions, garlic and rhubarb. Raw meat, sushi and steak tartare, on the other hand, can be consumed without any concerns.
Personal hygiene
During the first 6 weeks after giving birth, your body is more susceptible to infections, so you should pay even more attention to your personal hygiene than usual. Postnatal bleeding can last up to 4 weeks, although it will gradually decrease. If the bleeding persists for longer or becomes heavier, please contact your doctor.
Medicines
Only take medication after consulting your doctor. Next medical check-up: Please book an appointment for a follow-up check-up in about 6 weeks’ time.
Home midwife
We recommend that you arrange for a midwife to provide postnatal care at home well in advance. The midwives on the team at Klinik Im Park can look after a limited number of new mothers who live in the city of Zurich or on the left bank of Lake Zurich.
Please contact us on this matter on T +41 79 819 32 85. Alternatively, you can find independent midwives on the website of the Swiss Midwives’ Association: www.hebamme.ch
Breastfeeding advice after you leave hospital
After you are discharged, your health insurance will cover three breastfeeding consultations in addition to midwifery care. You can attend these either with your postnatal midwife or here at the clinic as part of our outpatient breastfeeding support service.
Breastfeeding Support, Klinik Im Park T +41 44 209 23 00
Advice for Mothers and Fathers
The Mums and Dads Advice Service is available in your local area and is there to help you with any questions you may have about your baby. The Mums and Dads Advice Service is a useful addition to the postnatal period and complements the care provided by your paediatrician. You can register for the service at the hospital if you wish.
Baby-Blues
The hormonal changes may cause your emotions to be a bit all over the place for a few days. Let the tears flow – this is perfectly normal. It might help if you can talk to someone about your fears or worries; the nursing staff, your doctor or the antenatal clinic can offer you support in this situation.
Carrying heavy objects
After giving birth, you should avoid carrying heavy loads – that is, anything weighing about as much as your baby, but not crates of drinks, heavy shopping bags or similar items.
Postnatal exercise from the 1st to the 2nd week
All exercises should be performed pain-free and, initially, with minimal tension (particularly exercises 1a–e). They are designed to be progressive and are suitable for the first 8 weeks after giving birth. To begin with, you should practise for a maximum of 20–30 minutes a day; after 4–5 weeks, you may perform the exercises at a rate of 3 sets of 12 repetitions. After your final medical check-up (after around 6–8 weeks), you can resume exercise and/or start postnatal exercise classes.
1. Supine position
a) Boosting metabolism/preventing thrombosis/relieving swelling in the legs:
Alternately circle your feet inwards and outwards. Bend and straighten your feet and knees from time to time. Switch legs as soon as one side starts to feel tired. Continue this exercise until the muscles in your calves and feet are warmed up.
b) Abdominal breathing/diaphragmatic breathing:
Place your hands on your tummy. Breathe in and out slowly. Feel your tummy rise as you breathe in (the diaphragm pushes the abdominal organs downwards) and fall again as you breathe out. If you’ve had a caesarean section: The caesarean section has left a wound that takes at least 10 days to heal. During these first few days, when standing up, coughing, sneezing, straining or laughing, make sure you apply firm, even pressure to the scar with both hands (or with a rolled-up towel).
c) Abdominal tension/engagement:
Place your hands on your lower abdomen. As you breathe out, try to create a slight tension by pulling your navel inwards towards your spine, and relax again as you breathe in. Pause for two breaths and start the exercise again.
d) Pelvic floor tension/activation:
Try to engage your pelvic floor as you breathe out. To do this, act as if you were stopping the flow of urine whilst on the toilet. As you breathe in, slowly release the tension.
e) Bridge:
After inhaling, gently tense your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. As you exhale, lift your pelvis so that one vertebra after another lifts off the surface. Then lower your pelvis back down in one fluid movement (try to maintain the tension throughout the entire movement). Pause for two breaths, relax, and then start the exercise again.
2. Knees-and-elbows position
a) Position your knees below your hip joints and about hip-width apart, your elbows below your shoulder joints, and keep your back straight. In this position, pressure is generally relieved from the pelvic floor, the uterus returns to its original position, and postnatal discharge can drain away easily. Breathe in and out calmly. Remain in this position for as long as it feels comfortable.
b) As you breathe out, gently contract your pelvic floor muscles, and as you breathe in, relax them back into your abdomen.
3. 4-Füssler-stand
a) Try to breathe deeply into your abdomen from this position as well. Engage your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles as you breathe out, and relax them as you breathe in.
b) Maintain the starting position as you breathe in. As you breathe out, round your back (cat-like arch) and look towards your navel.
c) As you breathe out (keeping your pelvic floor and abdomen engaged), extend your left arm forwards and your right leg backwards. Your back should remain stable and straight throughout. As you breathe in, return to the starting position and then switch sides (right arm/left leg).
4. Stand
a) Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with your hands resting on your sternum. As you breathe out, bend your knees – your back must remain straight and your weight should be distributed across the entire soles of your feet. As you breathe in (keeping your pelvic floor and abdomen engaged), return to the starting position. Do not bend your knees any further than your leg muscles allow and can push you back up again.
b) Wall push-ups: Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, about shoulder-width apart, and keep your back straight.
1. As you breathe in, push your body forwards against the wall (keeping your whole body tense). As you breathe out, push yourself back to the starting position using your arms. Keep your pelvic floor and abdomen tense throughout.
2. Remain in the "push-up position" against the wall and, without moving your torso or pelvis, alternately lift your hands slightly away from the wall. If you have any musculoskeletal problems (e.g. symphysis pubis diastasis or sacroiliac joint pain), please ask for a personalised physiotherapy consultation.
For the baby
Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding & more
Breastfeeding
We recommend that you time feeds according to your baby’s hunger cues. After a short while, your baby will find their own rhythm, so the frequency will vary from baby to baby (5 to 8 times a day). During growth spurts in the first few months, more frequent breastfeeding helps. This increases milk production and adapts it to your baby’s needs.
Handling breast milk
Breast milk can be stored as follows:
• 4 to 6 hours at room temperature
• 3 days in the fridge
• 3 months in the freezer compartment of the fridge
• 6 months in the freezer
Frozen breast milk should first be thawed under running cold water and then under running warm water. It is then warmed in a bain-marie. The same applies to breast milk from the fridge. Do not heat breast milk in the microwave. Breast milk that has already been heated must not be returned to the fridge and then reheated. It is advisable not to heat too large a quantity of breast milk at once. It is better to reheat a smaller amount if the baby is still hungry.
Feeding with formula milk
When feeding your baby with formula milk, the amount to be given depends on their current body weight, but above all on their needs. The daily amount is approximately 1/6 of their body weight, spread over 5 to 6 feeds. You will find preparation instructions on every pack leaflet. You can prepare a day’s supply and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Storing breast milk
In hospital, for hygiene reasons, breast milk can only be stored in the fridge for 48 hours. At home, you may store breast milk in the fridge, at the back against the wall, for up to 5 days, or in the freezer compartment of the fridge for up to 3 months. In a separate freezer (at –19 °C), you can freeze breast milk for up to 6 months. It is important that only breast milk of the same temperature is stored together. The date of the oldest breast milk always applies. In exceptional cases, breast milk may be left at room temperature for up to 8 hours. Thawed breast milk must be used within 24 hours and may only be warmed once.
Daily fluid intake:
Day 4: 6 × 40 ml = 240 ml
Day 5: 6 × 50 ml = 300 ml
Day 6: 6 × 60 ml = 360 ml
Day 7: 6 × 70 ml = 420 ml
Day 8: 6 × 80 ml = 480 ml
Day 9: 5 × 100 ml = 500 ml
Day 10: 5 × 110 ml = 550 ml
From day 11 onwards, the daily fluid intake is 1/6 of the child’s body weight.
For example:
3000 g : 6 = 500 ml
500 ml : 6 = 84 ml
(If the child feeds every 4 hours)
500 ml : 8 = 63 ml
(If the child feeds every 3 hours)
The child may always drink more than the recommended amount; drinking less is not advisable.
Cleaning feeding bottles, teats and dummies
Clean the feeding bottles (baby bottles) with a bottle brush and then rinse them out with hot water. It is recommended that you boil them or run them through the dishwasher twice a week. An additional rinse cycle is advisable to remove any residual rinse aid. Milk residues in the teats come off more easily if you add a little salt to the teats before cleaning.
Fluid intake
Your baby generally does not need any additional fluids, regardless of whether you are breastfeeding or feeding them formula milk. As a remedy for tummy ache, you can give your baby a little weak, unsweetened fennel or caraway tea.
Weight
Your baby was weighed regularly, naked, in hospital. At home, a weekly check-up at the antenatal and postnatal clinic is sufficient. According to WHO recommendations, weight gain in the first 3 months should be 30 g per day or 210 g per week. The minimum weight gain should be 20 g per day or 140 g per week.
Urination
Your baby should be urinating regularly (wet nappies). Their stools are very soft, and the frequency varies greatly from baby to baby (ranging from once a week to several times a day for breastfed babies).
Paediatrician
After you leave the hospital, your baby’s first check-up with your paediatrician will take place when they are around one month old. Your paediatrician will advise you on vaccinations. The first vaccination is given at around two months. Your paediatrician will discuss the subsequent check-ups with you.
Milk crust
Cradle cap is a flaky skin condition in babies that is usually normal. The cause is as yet unknown. However, it is often a predisposition to developing allergies. As long as cradle cap is confined to the scalp, it is usually harmless. However, if it spreads to the face – typically to the eyebrows – you should consult your paediatrician. Normal cradle cap can be treated with a high-quality oil (such as olive or almond oil). For example, massage the oil into the scalp in the evening and wash it out the following morning with a mild baby shampoo after combing out the flakes.
Out and about with your baby
You decide for yourself how often and how you go out with your baby. From slings, BabyBjörn or Ergo carriers to pushchairs and car seats, there are plenty of options. Dress your baby appropriately for the weather. It’s important that your baby doesn’t have to spend hours in a carrier at first, as this isn’t the best thing for their back. Ask a specialist retailer to show you exactly how to fit the car seat correctly in your car. The nursing staff at the clinic are, of course, also available to answer any questions you may have.
Sun protection
Chemical sunscreens should ideally not be used during the first year of life, as the UV filters place too great a strain on a baby’s skin. However, it is important to ensure your baby does not get sunburnt, as this significantly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. The best prevention is to play in the shade under a parasol, wearing light yet protective clothing, including a sun hat and sunglasses. Any exposed skin (arms, hands, face) should be covered with a sun cream containing micropigments, which do not chemically filter out UV rays but reflect them like a mirror. There are also special UV-protective suits with short sleeves and legs that provide optimal protection for sensitive areas. Between 11 am and 4 pm, you should generally avoid the sun.
Day-night rhythm
A well-defined sleep-wake cycle only develops during the first year of life. Before that, there is no day-and-night rhythm. The baby wakes up when they have had enough sleep and falls asleep when they are tired. You can help your baby find the right rhythm by not disrupting their natural patterns. If your baby wakes up at night, keep the lights to a minimum and speak softly and sparingly. You do not necessarily need to change your baby’s nappy at night (unless they have a sore bottom).
In the first few weeks of life, a baby needs around 14–18 hours of sleep. Most of the time, babies are only awake for feeds, nappy changes and baths. Sleeping on their back is recommended. During the day, you can occasionally lay your baby on their side (only if there are no hip problems!) and, under supervision, on their tummy. Your baby should not be left lying on their tummy unsupervised, due to the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (see the following sub-section). During the day, when you are supervising your baby, you can safely position them this way. This helps strengthen their neck, back and tummy muscles.
The ideal room temperature for your baby is 18 degrees Celsius. You can decide for yourself whether you’d like to use a duvet, a sleeping bag or a Zewi blanket for your baby. Make sure that there are no cords or ties (e.g. from nightwear) within your baby’s reach. A pillow is not necessary during the first two years of life. Fur blankets are also generally not recommended, as they can cause your baby to overheat. However, a fur blanket is well suited for keeping your baby warm in a pushchair.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy baby. Death occurs whilst the baby is asleep and mainly affects babies in their first year of life. The term ‘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’ is only used if no other cause can be identified during a post-mortem examination. Less than 0.1 per cent of babies are affected by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. As the baby matures, this risk decreases. The cause of SIDS remains unclear and unpredictable. It is thought to be a multifactorial process leading to sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Recommendations from the Swiss Society of Paediatrics:
• Avoid smoking and ensure a smoke-free environment.
• Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
• Protect your baby from overheating.
• Try to establish a regular daily routine for your baby during their first year of life.
• Try to breastfeed your baby wherever possible.
• Keep your baby close to you whenever possible and maintain physical contact with them.
• Take your baby for regular check-ups with a doctor.
(www.swiss-paediatrics.org)
For the father
Shortly after birth
- Spend plenty of time with your wife and child.
- Your wife will be very tired. Pamper her.
- For example, answer the phone and protect your wife and child from too many visitors.
Around your baby
- Help out with baby care. Especially during the first few days, you can take this off your wife’s hands, particularly after a caesarean section.
- Ask the nurse on the ward to explain how to look after the baby.
- Ask for guidance on the different ways of carrying your baby.
Here’s how you can soothe your baby
- Pick your baby up.
- Rock your baby in your arms.
- Speak soothingly to your baby.
- Go for a short walk with your baby in a baby sling.
Child nutrition
If the baby is being breastfed:
- If the baby keeps falling asleep whilst breastfeeding, you can gently stimulate their hands and feet to help them stay awake and continue feeding.
- Offer your wife something to drink. Breastfeeding makes her thirsty.
- Hold your baby upright after feeding so that they can burp.
If the baby is bottle-fed:
- Take turns with your wife to feed the baby and ask the nursing staff for guidance.
Here’s how you can support your wife
The postnatal period is a very exciting time for your partner – and for you too. Getting to know your baby is the main focus. The hormonal changes your partner is going through can cause her emotions to fluctuate, and she may find herself crying at times. Bear in mind that these feelings are perfectly normal. At times like these, it’s important that you’re there for your partner. If you’re feeling unsure, speak to a nurse. Also try to organise visits from family and friends so that it doesn’t become too much for you and your partner. You’re getting to know your baby; the baby’s feeding routine needs to settle into a rhythm, and you need to feel confident about looking after the baby. It’s important that you both take this time for yourselves. Of course, whilst you’re in hospital, you can also leave your baby in the nursery so that you can go for a short walk with your partner or have a drink in our lobby.
Postnatal classes and treatments on offer
Postnatal exercise and pelvic floor training
Acupuncture helps with breastfeeding problems such as blocked milk ducts, sore nipples and low milk supply.
Foot reflexology and kinesiotaping are also helpful methods after childbirth for treating various problems and promoting well-being.
Ayurvedic massages have a restorative effect on postnatal exhaustion and pamper your body.
You can find detailed information about our wide range of pre- and postnatal courses on our website: www.hirslanden.ch/impark/kurse
Tips and tricks for everyday life
Back-friendly carrying and lifting techniques to support your body during the special period of postnatal recovery.
Get up
Always mount the horse by turning to the side.
Breastfeeding
Choose a position where your arms can rest comfortably and do not have to support the baby. You should therefore always use enough cushions to support both the baby and your own arms (when sitting, the cushion should reach up to chest height so that you do not have to lean forwards or downwards).
Changing nappies
The changing surface should always be at the correct working height so that you can keep your back straight. When standing, this should be at hip height. If possible, rest your hips against the changing surface for support.
Lifting and carrying weights
Whenever possible, ask someone else to lift and carry things for you. If there is no one to help, make sure you follow these key points: bend your knees, keep the weight as close to your body as possible, keep your back straight throughout the movement, and do not lift more than 6–8 kg (this applies after a caesarean section, but is also recommended after a natural birth).
1. First, bend your knees, bring the Maxicosi with the baby towards you, and only then push yourself up over your legs whilst keeping your back straight.
2. Lean your hips or legs against the cot, bend forwards keeping your back straight, lift the baby and bring them close to you, then straighten up and support their full weight again. The same procedure applies to older siblings in the cot (the child can help by holding on to you).
3. Lifting an older child, options a–c: a) Sit down yourself, let the child climb onto your lap, and only then stand up, leaning forwards and using the strength of your legs.
b) Let the child climb onto a chair, bend your knees slightly, pull the child towards you, and only then stand up straight, using your legs for support.
c) Get down on your knees yourself, take the child into your arms and then lift them up over your legs. Keep your back straight throughout.
4. Slings and baby carriers: Make sure to fasten slings and baby carriers securely, particularly around the hips. This ensures that the weight is mainly borne by the pelvis, taking the strain off the shoulder girdle.
Click here for the sling instructions: