When a woman finishes giving birth and starts life with her new baby, it's no exaggeration to say that everything about her previous life changes. Childcare often brings worries and difficulties.
Child-rearing isn't something mothers should have to do all on their own. It's something to be shared with the people around you and with various support services, so we can enjoy discovering new joys throughout the process of raising a child.
This time, we'll explain some of the services you can use after childbirth.

Don't Try to Do It All AloneHaving Connections with Others Is Essential in Childcare

As mentioned in the previous post, " #64 Postpartum Moms' Mental Health 1" the six to eight weeks after childbirth are called the postpartum period which is the time when the body, changed by pregnancy and childbirth, gradually returns to how it was.
Even after that period ends, it's important to keep gradually easing your body back into daily life.
For household tasks other than caring for the baby, try to gradually widen your range of activity by working together with your partner and any family members who can help. Also, consider using childcare support services. It's reassuring to research the childcare support services available in your area in advance, while you're still pregnant.
This is a period when a lot of time goes into childcare, but it's important that the basics of daily life such as sleep, meals, and using the bathroom are still maintained. If you spend so much time on the baby that these basics suffer, it becomes hard to think clearly or make sound decisions.
Moreover, as a result of the sudden shifts in hormone balance, feelings of low mood can grow stronger, and there may be times you can't feel affection for your baby.
Many of us were raised to avoid inconveniencing others, so we tend to feel that relying on someone else is a bad thing. In today's childcare environment, many mothers end up doing everything alone, and we often see moms pushing through by themselves.
At the same time, there's a vague, ever-present anxiety about whether this is really okay, which leads to an unsettled emotional state.
Saying it out loud like, "I want some help!", "I want someone to listen!" and building connections with other people is important. If you've worked for a long time, there is a negative image that relying on others means you're not capable at your job, which may make you hesitate to ask for help. However, when it comes to childcare, building connections with the people around you is truly important.

Borrowing the Knowledge and Help of Experts and OthersMakes Childcare Easier, and More Enjoyable

After giving birth, not only physical issues that come up but also moms may need support with errands and other tasks, so it's worth knowing about the public services below.

1. Newborn and baby home visits
This is a free service run by each local government. A midwife or public health nurse visits the home of a family with a baby, offering childcare-related advice and checking on the health of both mother and baby.
In general, the "newborn visit" is for families with a newborn, and the "baby visit" is for families with a baby up to 4 months old. Since the visitor can see your actual situation and give advice accordingly, this is often even more useful than a parenting book.

2. Pre- and postnatal support helpers, childcare support helpers
For households with no one available during the day to help with housework or childcare, this is a paid service in which a helper comes to your home. Details vary by municipality, but one example allows 5 days of use before birth, and 15 days of use between hospital discharge and 2 months after birth.
Helpers can assist with laundry, cooking, shopping, and bathing the baby.

3. Postpartum care facilities
"Postpartum care" refers to facilities where moms and babies can stay to receive childcare support. Details vary by municipality and facility, but these are mainly for babies under 4 months old and their mothers. There are overnight-stay, day-only, and home-visit formats, with midwives and nurses at the center of the support provided. You can get hands-on guidance on breastfeeding and bathing, and your baby can be looked after so that you can rest. It's a paid service, but some municipalities offer partial subsidies.

4. Family support
This is a community mutual-aid system in which people who want childcare support and people who want to provide it register as members and help one another. It's run by individual municipalities. It's intended for households with infants, toddlers, or elementary-school-age children, and offers support such as looking after your baby for you. Fees vary by municipality, but tend to be relatively affordable.
It can also provide temporary care for your baby when you're feeling unwell or need to see a doctor.

5. Silver human resource centers
These are organizations through which older adults find purpose through work while contributing to the local community.
Members who have completed the center's training and acquired relevant skills and knowledge can be asked to help with housework and childcare.
Even though it is a paid service, it is relatively inexpensive. Tasks can include shopping and cleaning, as well as looking after the baby and taking children to and from nursery school.
For moms spending every day alone with their baby, this can be a welcome change of pace.

6. Childcare support centers
These are places for parents with infants and toddlers to gather, get childcare advice, and receive information. They're basically free to use, so it's easy to drop by.
You can join events like baby playtime sessions and picture book storytelling, where you can interact with other parents and easily make new mom friends.
I personally run a touch-care workshop here once a month.

7. Children's centers (Jidō-kan)
The name may sound like it's for elementary-school-age children and up, but these centers are actually for children from age 0 to under 18, aiming to enrich children physically and mentally through healthy play.
They have plenty of baby toys, so you can play there even on rainy days, and they hold events like baby-goods bazaars and yoga classes which are great place to make friends in your area and exchange information.


This time, we covered public services you can use after childbirth. The names and details of these facilities and services vary by municipality, so please check with your local government office.
Moms often push themselves too hard for their baby's sake, but it's important to take care of your own body, not only during the postpartum period, but afterward as well.
Childcare rarely goes as planned. Borrowing the knowledge and help of experts and others can make childcare easier and more enjoyable.
Please don't try to do it all on your own and make good use of the many services available to you.