Postpartum ....

Let's start off by defining a term that seems to result in a pause followed by a hushed, "are you alright?". Ummm, yeah - I had a baby!?!

Definition of Postpartum:

(adverb) 1: occurring in or being the period following childbirth 2: being in or used in the postpartum period (Merriam Webster)

The interesting part here is that it relates specifically to the mother. You might see Postnatal - which actually relates to the baby. Postpartum should not be hushed, mumbled, or shameful. You became a mother - how profound and life changing. Literally and figuratively -physically and emotionally. So when I talk about PP Nutrition and Healing it does not mean anything is wrong. It's a remarkable and unique time that requires cherishing, healing, nourishing, & honoring.

Where does nutrition fit into this?

Nutrition is backbone to wellness - being well as the new mother that you are demands (and deserves) dedicated focus at a time when you are pulled in more directions than ever. Hormones, Sleep Deprivation are all in play. Nutrition is defined as the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. Yes, please!

Always, always always...

Let's not forget our new bundle of joy (AS IF)- we are consumed with our bundle, we are at their beck and call, they are our crowning glory, our pièce de résistance. We've spent 10 months growing this little person and now they are here full of their own adorable demands.

There is an unconscious shift from the mother to the baby. Mothers go from strangers trying to rub their belly and say inappropriate things like, "WOW! Any day now, huh?" to almost non-existence. It's quite natural, of course. Loved ones and folks attuned to such things may be better about this but make no mistake - people only have eyes and questions about your baby. This is not meant to sound like a complaint. Look at it in a different way - Osho said it best,

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." and so in you the child your mother lives on and through your family continues to live... so at this time look after yourself and your family as you would your mother for through you all she will truly never die.

That's right! Something else is new in the house - a Mother (and yes a father, a sister/brother all rightfully deserving honor). Make no mistake I use a capital M for a reason. My favorite term is Newborn Mother. They are a complex mix of blood, sweat, leaky boobs, empowerment, hormones and definitely tears.

So let me repeat - Newborn Mother's are raw and fresh likely your wrinkly squishy baby. Both need oxytocin, both need nurturing, both need time to rest and adjust to a whole new world. If it's not obvious why nutrition would be important here by now, I will further break it down for you in future posts.