Postpartum

Caring For Yourself and Your Baby

  • Caring for You

    Mental Health Resources

    It can be normal for people to experience changes in their feelings and mood during pregnancy or postpartum

  • Visitor Policy at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

    Our visitor policy aims to support you during your labor in a safe environment.

  • Safe Sleep for Baby

    Making sure your baby is safe during their sleeptime is as easy as "A,B,C." A is for Alone in crib, B is for lying on Back, and C is for using a Crib. In this video, Jessica Lazzeri, MSN, RN, Clinical Director of Women’s Health at HUP, discusses Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

  • Breastfeeding: Getting off to the Right Start

    Are you planning to breastfeed? If you choose to breastfeed, we will do everything we can to help you and your baby succeed!

  • Work During Pregnancy and Planning for Parental Leave

    Most people are able to continue working during pregnancy. However, a Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA) or disability benefits from your job can be used for pregnancy complications or postpartum recovery.

  • Pediatric Care After Birth: Choosing Your Baby’s Doctor

    Knowing who the pediatrician will be for your baby is an important choice. Baby's first visit with the doctor may be as soon as 1-2 days after you are both discharged from the hospital.

  • Birth Control Options After Having a Baby

    Your body needs time to heal from birth before getting pregnant again. Many families also have a plan for if and when they’d like to welcome another baby. It is ideal to wait 18 months after birth before becoming pregnant again. However, fertility can come back soon after birth, particularly for those who do not breastfeed, so it is important to make plan to prevent pregnancy until you and your body are ready. 

  • Breastfeeding: Nuts and Bolts

    How does breastfeeding actually work? Many people feel like breastfeeding is a bit of a mystery. How do you know how much a baby is eating? How often should you feed the baby? Feeding a baby by bottle may seem simpler! Here are some strategies to get breastfeeding started.

  • What to Expect at Your Postpartum Visit

    Supporting you during your recovery from birth is important to us. Plan for at least one postpartum visit, which may be a video telemedicine visit, or in-person.

  • Breastfeeding Support

    Many people need knowledgeable support to continue breastfeeding after leaving the hospital. Here is a list of online resources, local lactation consultants and support groups that can help you on your breastfeeding journey.

  • Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccination

    The Hepatitis B vaccine acts an instruction manual for the immune system and is recommended on the first day of life.

  • Baby’s First Medications: “Eyes and Thighs”

    Soon after birth, usually in the delivery room, we will ask your permission to give your baby their first medication. Read more to learn about why we recommend these treatments for all babies.

  • Diaper Duties, Circumcisions, and Care Down There

    Changing diapers quickly becomes a routine part of parenthood, but many parents have questions about how to care for their baby’s bottom.

  • The First Few Days with Baby

    A timeline of infant care in the hospital.