The 555 rule can help you get the rest and recovery your body needs to heal from birth. But what are the 555 rule postpartum guidelines, and how can it support you? Keep reading to learn more.
Different cultures approach postpartum recovery differently. One of the methods to support healing after childbirth is the 5-5-5 postpartum recovery rule which includes five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed.
However, adhering to this protocol isn’t always realistic; as noted by Kristin Revere, owner and founder of Gold Coast Doulas shares, “The biggest obstacle in making the rooming-in plan happen is getting the necessary help to stay in bed with the baby.
This can be especially challenging if there are other children at home. If the partner has paternity leave or works from home, this can be accomplished with their help.”
We’ll share more about how to make this plan work for you, the benefits, and more in the article below.
What is the 555 rule for postpartum?
The 555 postpartum rule is a great concept to follow during the postpartum period. The 555 rule suggests how to spend the first 15 days after giving birth:
- Five days in bed
- Five days on the bed
- Five days around the bed
Five days in bed
For five days in bed, you should give yourself at least five days to fully rest as much as you can and only get up when it’s essential, such as using the bathroom, grabbing a quick bite to eat, or taking a brief shower.
We understand that this is a luxury not everyone may have.
Try your best to plan to have someone stay with you who can help you and your partner for the first week or so after you give birth. They can help take care of things like cooking and other matters that need tending to, if possible.
Read next: Five Ways Your Partner Can Support You During Postpartum
Five days on the bed
For the next five days, it’s suggested to spend them on the bed. This looks like doing other things other than solely resting, such as sitting up, cuddling with your baby on top of the bed, relaxing with your other kids if you have them, or moving to another cozy space in your house, such as a soft couch or chair.
You’re still resting plenty during this second five-day period, but you can give yourself more freedom to move around if you’re comfortable.
The five days on the bed set the stage for prime bonding time with your newborn, so fully immerse yourself in this stage and rest up.
Five days around the bed
For the last five days of the 555 postpartum rule, it’s recommended that you spend this time around the bed.
You should still place a great emphasis on resting as much and as often as you can, but if you’ve been doing this already for the first ten days, then you should be good to increase your movement a bit and hang around your bed rather than in it day in and day out.
You can take this time to walk and hold your baby around your room, fold some laundry (only if you want), and do other gentle activities.
Keep things simple and don’t stand for more than 30 minutes at a time – after all, you are still in the early stages of healing and recovery, and rest is still paramount.
What is the most critical time of the postpartum period?
The postpartum period is commonly referred to as the 4th trimester because your body goes through just as many – if not more – exponential changes during this time as it does throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy.
The postpartum period is considered six to eight weeks after having your baby, but the most critical time during this stage is the 24-48 hours immediately following birth. And we believe postpartum never really ends.
These first two days are important because your body is undergoing drastic adjustments, and complications in both mother and baby are most likely to arise if there are any.
During the first two days following birth, both mom and baby must be closely monitored to identify and treat any potential issues as soon as possible.
Despite the critical nature of this period, it’s also a super special and precious time for parents to bond with their newborns, including the golden hour after birth (which we fully recognize and appreciate that this is not always possible in all birth situations).
Why you should (try to) practice the 555 rule after birth
The 555 postpartum rule is a great guideline to follow after giving birth because it gives the mother ample time to heal and rest her body correctly. Also, following the 555 rule postpartum for c-sections will help you recover more efficiently.
Slow and steady wins the race, and the gentler and more accessible you are with yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, the better you will feel in the long run.
Participating in the 555 rule helps ensure you are fully rested and not worrying about anything other than your and your newborn’s well-being. Two weeks will fly by, so try to enjoy these slow days bonding with your baby as much as possible and focus on the recovery process.
The science behind the 555 postpartum rule
The science behind the 555 rule is based on the fact that childbirth is a physically traumatic event that requires time to heal.
During the first five days after giving birth, the body focuses on healing the uterus and other tissues that were damaged during childbirth.
During this time, it is important for new mothers to rest as much as possible to avoid complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and infection.
After the first five days, the body begins to heal and new mothers can start to gradually increase their activity. However, it is important to avoid strenuous activity until the uterus has fully healed, which typically takes around six weeks.
During the second five-day period, new mothers can focus on activities such as light walking, stretching, and gentle yoga.
By the end of the third five-day period, new mothers should be able to return to their normal activities, but it is important to listen to their bodies and rest when they need to.
Here are some of the benefits of following the 555 rule for postpartum recovery:
- Reduced risk of postpartum hemorrhage and infection
- Improved wound healing
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Improved mood and energy levels
- Increased bonding time with baby
- Improved overall postpartum recovery
It is important to note that the 555 rule is just a guideline.
Some new mothers may need to rest for longer or shorter periods of time, depending on their individual needs and recovery process. It is also important to talk to your doctor or midwife about what level of activity is safe for you during the postpartum period.
The days immediately following birth are crucial, not only for soaking in all the goodness of your new baby and bonding with them but for taking it slow and healing your body after it has been through so much with pregnancy and birth.
The miracle of growing your little one and bringing them into the world puts your body through a lot, so it’s essential to take proper care of yourself and focus on resting as much as possible during the first couple weeks after giving birth.
The 555 postpartum rule is a great guideline that suggests five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed, adding up to 15 days of taking it easy and allowing yourself to recover gently during this time.
We’ll dive deeper into this concept in this article for you today and hopefully inspire you to prioritize healing your body and bonding with your baby so that you can ease into your new routine as comfortably as possible.
Common 555 postpartum rule challenges
The 555 postpartum rule can be challenging to follow for a number of reasons. Here are a few of the most common challenges:
Lack of support
Many new mothers do not have the support system they need to be able to rest for five days after giving birth. Their partners may be back at work, and they may not have any family or friends nearby who can help them with childcare and household chores.
Unrealistic expectations
Some new mothers feel pressure to get back to their normal routine as quickly as possible. They may feel like they need to be cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their baby and other children at the same time.
This can be unrealistic and can lead to burnout.
Guilt
Some new mothers feel guilty about resting when they have so much to do. They may feel like they are being lazy or that they are neglecting their baby.
Physical discomfort
Some new mothers experience physical discomfort after childbirth, such as pain, fatigue, and insomnia. This can make it difficult to rest, even when they have the time and support to do so.
Helpful tips to make this protocol work
- Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your partner, family, and friends. Let them know what you need and when you need it.
- Be realistic: Don’t expect to be able to do everything after giving birth. Focus on taking care of yourself and your baby. The rest can wait.
- Don’t feel guilty: It is important to rest when you have a newborn baby. This is not the time to be cleaning your house or cooking gourmet meals.
- Talk to your doctor or midwife: If you are struggling to follow the 555 postpartum rule, talk to your doctor or midwife. They can offer support and advice.
Remember, the 555 postpartum rule is just a guideline and can be modified to suit your unique lifestyle and needs.
Modification tips to help navigate postpartum recovery
The 555 rule is a great starting point for postpartum recovery, but sometimes it may need to be modified. Here are a few tips:
- Adjust the number of days. If you’re not able to rest for five days straight, that’s okay. Start with three days, four days, or whatever you can manage. You can also break up your rest into smaller chunks throughout the day.
- Consider your activity level before pregnancy. If you were very active before pregnancy, you may be able to start increasing your activity level sooner. However, if you are more sedentary, you may need to rest for longer.
- Listen to your body. If you’re feeling tired, don’t push yourself. Take a nap, go for a walk, or do something else that makes you feel relaxed.
- Be flexible. The 555 rule is just a guideline. It’s okay if you need to adjust it based on your own needs and schedule.
Here are some examples of how you can modify the 555 rule:
If you’re a working mom:
- You may need to start increasing your activity level sooner than five days after giving birth.
- You can try to break up your rest into smaller chunks throughout the day, such as napping during your lunch break or taking breaks to stretch and walk around.
- Ask for help from your partner, family, and friends with childcare and household chores.
If you have other children:
- You may need to adjust your rest schedule based on the needs of your other children.
- Try to find times when your other children are napping or asleep to rest.
If you have health complications:
- You may need to rest for longer than five days after giving birth.
- Talk to your doctor or midwife about what level of activity is safe for you during the postpartum period.
If you’re not getting enough support:
- Ask for help from your partner, family, and friends.
- Join a postpartum support group.
- Consider hiring a postpartum doula or nanny.
Remember, the most important thing is to listen to your body and rest when you need to. There is no right or wrong way to modify the 555 rule. Do what works best for you and your family.
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