In the sacred space after childbirth, nature offers mothers a window for nourishment. This is a time of deep connection, bonding, and total devotion. Discover more about the power of postpartum Ayurvedic care.
During this beautiful but intensive period, mothers are more vulnerable to depletion, and health and emotional imbalances can manifest if self-care is not prioritized.
The physiological changes that occur during this crucial period need to be addressed with love and appropriate care. Ayurveda’s breadth of knowledge is a powerful tool to support mothers during this transitional and expansive time.
An introduction to Ayurveda
Ayurveda, the holistic science of life, explains that the digestive fire lessens tremendously after childbirth. It then needs to be re-kindled with awareness by eating the proper foods, spices, and herbs. When the digestive fire is disturbed, mental and emotional imbalances occur.
Such imbalances make themselves known as depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and even arthritis without attention. New mamas need to be nourished with wholesome meals that are easily digested and assimilated, combined with herbs that will support healing, rejuvenation, and breastfeeding.
Ayurvedic beliefs in postpartum
Agni, or Digestive Fire, is not only what helps us digest, assimilate, and absorb the food that we eat; it is also the fire that helps us digest our emotions. This fire is life itself, and that essence will provide the support a new mother needs to nourish and care for her newborn.
Ayurveda explains that everything we consume, through food and thought, will create rasa or plasma (the primary bodily tissue). Rasa shares an intimate relationship with breast milk. After digestion, the food that becomes rasa will become milk—making a holistic and nourishing diet a vital part of the postpartum and nursing experience.
When Agni (the digestive fire) is balanced, mothers can manage better the sleepless nights and intense changes that accompany new motherhood.
Ayurveda and the Wise Women Tradition explains that it is essential for the new mother to drink nourishing herbal infusions and consume creamy vegetable soups, healthy oils, and wholesome grains after childbirth.
These nutrient-dense but simple meals will sustain the body, mind, and soul—therefore nourishing the baby with what is known as Divine Mother’s Nectar.
Recipe: Sweet Water Nursing Tea
What you’ll need
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tsp of chamomile
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- A thermos full of boiled water
How to make it
Once the hot water is poured into the thermos, add the herbs and spices. Let sit until it becomes lukewarm and drink throughout the day.
Parting thoughts
My offering to all beautiful mothers or mothers-to-be is awareness of and support for this sacred window and offers you ways to be nurtured during this vulnerable time.
I suggest prioritizing a plan for your postpartum journey with tremendous care and love. This free postpartum prep and recovery guide can help.
May all mamas be supported during this sacred time.
Other Ayurvedic resources you may enjoy:
Hello! For the Nursing Tea, should I add the in spices just loose into the water? Thanks so much for these recipes!
Hi Grace! Great question – you can add them directly to hot water and strain before drinking or add to a herbal tea loose leaf infuser. Whichever you prefer! 🙂