Postpartum Care

Traditional Chinese Medicine understands the importance of healing and postpartum care for new mothers, particularly during the “Golden Month” or first forty days after birth. When a mother experiences a nourished postpartum, she is better equipped to nourish her newborn.

The rest and nutrition a woman receives during pregnancy and in the postpartum period will influence her recovery, wound healing, the production of breastmilk (lactation) and her ability to cope emotionally during the huge transition into motherhood.

The essentials of postpartum recovery are:

Pregnancy is draining on the mother’s body. Babies are like leeches, extracting vital nutrients from the mother for their growth and development.

Following birth, a woman is in a vulnerable state of depleted Qi and Blood. The goal is to replenish these vital substances with adequate rest and a nutritious diet. This is a time to accept offers of help and support. Outsource where possible:

Hire a cleaner or postpartum doula
Stock your freezer with meals during pregnancy or organise a meal train with family and friends.

What should you eat to optimise postpartum recovery?

Nourishment

Traditionally, Chinese postpartum meals would include:

Soups containing bone broths, warming spices and slow cooked meats
(Bone broths support healing with collagen-building amino acids, electrolytes and macronutrients. Almost all traditional cultures share a variation of this for postpartum recovery.)
Congees (slow cooked rice porridge)

Ingredients, in Chinese dietary therapy, that nourish Qi and Blood such as:

Red dates (Jujube)
Goji Berries
Beetroot
Eggs
Black sesame seeds
Slow cooked meats and organ meats
Ginger, cinnamon and other warming spices
Steamed or cooked vegetables
Well cooked grains and starches (rice, barley, oats, sweet potato)

You can find many of these ingredients in my handmade snack mixes.

Warmth

Warmth is also crucial in postpartum. When Qi and Blood are weak, our immune and digestive function is lowered. Due to the weakened digestion, it is important to consume warm meals, such as soups and stews. This will ensure that nutrients will be easily absorbed and aid in rebuilding digestion. Also avoid cold drinks. Make sure water is room temperature or warm and enjoy herbal teas to replenish lost fluids.

Physical warmth also increases oxytocin levels (our love hormone) and reduces the adrenaline family of hormones. When our oxytocin levels are high, we feel more loved and connected and this assists in bonding with baby. So rug up! In particular, it is important to keep the feet, abdomen and neck covered to prevent any invasion of cold into the uterus and joints. Be mindful of cold air conditioning or sitting around with wet hair after a shower.

Buy herbal teas and lattes

Rest

It is also time to be clear with your boundaries. This is a time for rest, recovery and bonding with baby. You do not need to entertain friends and family if you don’t feel ready. It is ok to say no.

Support

If ever there was a time to say yes to help, it is now. They say it takes a village for a reason. We were never meant to do this alone. Accept all offers of support from family and friends. If these offers are scarce, outsource where possible (cleaners, meal delivery services, etc.).

Buy Flourish In Natal Easy & Healthy Postpartum Meals

Our range of nourishing noodles are a quick and easy snack or meal ready in minutes.
These noodles have been developed using the principles of Chinese Dietary Therapy.