Introduction to Ayurvedic Postpartum Principles

Thank you to Courtney of Mothersource for contributing this informative article! Find Courtney at mothersource.com or on Instagram @mothersource_

Imagine postpartum where every aspect of your being—body, mind, and soul—is nourished with care and understanding. This is the essence of the postpartum journey through the lens of Ayurveda. In a world where the focus often shifts immediately to the newborn, Ayurveda reminds us to also nourish the prime nourisher.

Ayurveda, an ancient system of healing dating back over 5,ooo years has roots deeply planted in the wisdom of nature, offering more than just a healing method; it presents a way of life, especially valuable after experience of childbirth.

 In Ayurvedic texts it states that there a 3 major transitions in a women’s life: Menarche(when your period begins), Motherhood, and menopause. Each of these transitional periods need to be managed through diet and lifestyle. 

During postpartum their are four pillars that will be key elements in recovery: diet, rest, herbs, and massage, Ayurveda provides a roadmap to recovery that harmonizes and revitalizes the new mother’s physical, mental, and emotional landscape:

• Diet: Digestive fire (Agni) in every new mother is weak and vulnerable due to birth. Every meal should focus on restoring digestive fire to support lactation (if a mother chooses or is able to breastfeed) and rejuvenation.A focus on warm, nourishing, and easily digestible foods that restore strength and vitality are a main priority.
• Rest: A mother should rest when baby rests, avoid overstimulation, with minimal movement from the home for 6-weeks.
• Herbs: Support for digestion, lactation and avoiding colic. Each herb is selected to support the body’s  natural healing process, balance hormones, and nourish your overall well-being.
• Massage: Daily Abhyangha or “sneha” in sanskrit is to be applied as a self-massage, caregiver or  doula. This helps open the channels of the body and move out toxins from the birth,  and calm a new mother.

In the ever changing landscape of maternal  care, Ayurveda teaches us to honor the mother so she is able to tend to herself and her relationships with vitality, grace and balance.

Written by: Courtney of Mothersource

Mothersource was born out of my own transformative journey through my second pregnancy at 45. The intent is to always support Mothers during their postpartum journey, offering them a sanctuary where they can find nourishment, support, and healing in the comfort of their own homes. Providing tailored Ayurvedic meals, belly binding, anointing of healing oils to address the unique challenges mothers face in Western culture.

If you would like more information on Ayurvedic postpartum care  got www.mothersource.com