Your needs matter too
After birth, family life often centres on the baby. You need support too. WHO includes maternal wellbeing and family needs in postnatal care. A practical place to start is the question: “What would make today a little easier for me?”
Make room for rest
Not every baby nap needs to become a chance to catch up on housework. The NHS recommends rest and sharing care where possible. Agree on a specific moment when another trusted adult takes over. Even if you cannot fall asleep, you can use the break to sit quietly.
Keep food and water within reach
Ask someone to leave a meal ready, refill your water bottle or handle the shopping. Choose a place where you can reach food and water easily while caring for your baby. Follow any individual advice you have been given about food or fluids.
Ask for help that someone can act on
“Help me more” can be hard to turn into action. A clear task gives someone a starting point. Support might come from a partner, relative, friend or another trusted person. Choose what would help you, for example:
- “Could you bring lunch and wash the dishes?”
- “Please take the next nappy change so I can have a shower.”
- “Could you keep me company? Today feels difficult.”
Example: from a need to practical help
A made-up example of sharing tasks, not a suggested routine or recovery plan.
- 01Need: “I have not managed to eat without rushing.”
- 02Agreement: Someone you trust looks after the baby while you have lunch.
- 03Afterwards: Say whether it helped and what might be useful tomorrow.
Notice how you feel without judging yourself
A short note such as “tired; would like company” can help put a need into words. You do not have to describe the whole day. Keep an observation you want to return to or discuss with someone close to you or a healthcare professional.
When to ask for support
If you feel unwell, feel worse or find it hard to cope, contact a doctor or midwife; do not wait two weeks. Also seek support if low mood after birth has not passed within that time. A diary can help you describe your experience, but cannot identify postnatal depression. Seek emergency help if you or your baby are in immediate danger.
What you can record in SweetWonder
In SweetWonder’s “Care for me” section, you can record your mood, sleep, glasses of water and an optional note. These entries help you look back on your day. The app does not make a diagnosis.
Your space in SweetWonder
This screen is the starting point for your own care. Choose how you feel to add an entry, or use the buttons to open another section.
- Choose how you feel with a tap.
- Personal reminders for water and meals.
- Access to “My health”.
An actual Android app screen with sample data. The iPhone layout may differ.
Open the full-size screen ↗Share the care tasks
Agree who takes the next task and who logs it in the shared baby diary. When handing over care, check the latest synced entries rather than searching messages for times.
Your mood, sleep, water intake and personal notes are linked to your account. Inviting someone to your baby’s shared diary does not give them access to these entries. If you use the same account on two phones, both phones can access that account’s records.
Choose one thing for today: a prepared meal, a break or a conversation. You do not need to organise the whole day to deserve support.
Room for your baby. Room for you too.
Explore SweetWonder for iPhone and Android: a baby diary, shared care and personal entries for mum.
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SweetWonder helps you keep records and follow everyday routines. It is not a medical device and does not make diagnoses. If you are concerned about yourself or your baby, contact a healthcare professional.