tops my 'Super Posh Post-Partum List' of things for comfort, healing and care in those early weeks.
This blend of Comfrey leaf, Lavender flower, Shepherd's Purse, Uva Ursi leaf, Plaintain leaf, Red Raspberry leaf, Yarrow flower & Sea salt is fabulous! A warm soak in these herbs is healing for both mother and baby by easing sore muscles and tender tissue and does the impossible by making your sweet baby smell even sweeter. Bathe as desired, use as directed. Herbs can be used twice, so save the strained herbs in your pot to use again the next day.
I also love to have...
*Arnica Montana in a topical oil and pill form for bruises and sore muscles.
*Lactation Support - Mother's Milk Tea and a supplement of Mega Mam if nursing more than one baby or facing other milk production challenges. Dandelion is another helpful herb, delicious in the form of coffee-alternative Dandy Blend. A good lactation consultant to call is gold, if you're in Austin ask for Cheryl at Special Addition.
*A bellywrap - cannot stress how important and healthy it is for you wrap up! Give your uterus a little support, she's just had the workout of her life and continues contracting for the next two weeks on her journey back to normal size.
*Gentle oils like Mothers Special Blend are as good for your recovering skin as your baby's brand-new wrinkles and a great after-bath massage for both of you.
*Goldenseal Root capsules to care for your baby's cord. Sprinkle about 1/3 of a capsule on the cord about twice a day for quick healing.
*Lightweight swaddling blankets by Aden + Anais are favorites of mine!
*Placenta pills for hormonal support, increased energy and a boost to your milk supply. Austin's local Placenta Benefits specialist is Lindsey Roberts, she's fab!
*A ring sling to carry your baby close.
*For daytime sleeping, a dreamy eye pillow.
Items that feel not so posh but are knitty gritty necessary include granny panties and a variety of pads with different levels of protection, all with wings! One for very heavy flow, one for a medium flow and a pack of lightdays. With wings!
Tucks –hey, hemorrhoids can happen. Dermaplast First Aid spray can also be a great pain reliever and Hydrogen Peroxide is good for cord care, treating open wounds and infection.
That most important thing your baby needs is YOU. You and your breasts. To give your baby the best of you be prepared to take care of yourself, being sure you have help with the rest of your life so you can rest with your baby. Wrap up, stay horizontal as much as possible and stay fed and well hydrated and just keep your baby with you, with constant access to your breasts.
As far as baby care you'll find one of the most annoying and frustrating things about being new parents is all the conflicting advice you receive. There are many ways to care for a baby, you will find your own. Take all advice (including mine!) with a big grain of salt and have confidence in your instincts!
Tell me Posh Mama's what made a difference for you when you welcomed your baby!
All of these suggestions are really great...if you're a mother with loads of disposable income. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that many woman bring their babies into the world with no support, no education, no money for nannies, doulas, etc. They are lucky if the father of their child is even able to be present at the birth. I get it that you are advocating something that is pure, and good, and right, but I just don't think it's feasible for the majority of women (or girls) giving birth. I think this is very sad. Keep up the good work, Posh Mama, but maybe you could advocate for poor women as well (and in today's economy, there are more and more of us, ya know!). :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sadie, thanks for your comment. Yes it is very hard to see people struggle with limited resources and making a difference where I can is very important to me. As a doula I feel so blessed to be able to volunteer my time and provide the items listed here to my clients. Thankfully the herbs, homeopathic medicines and first aid supplies are inexpensive and I have been able to easily find gently used belly wraps to give, and sew the ring slings myself. I am also learning how to encapsulate placentas and am so excited to be able to do this for women as a gift.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to reach out and help each other out as best we can, especially in challenging times of transition like welcoming a new baby. The circumstance of absent fathers for whatever reason weighs heavily on me as well, encouraging couples to care for each other and stay together is so important and rallying friends and family around women whose husbands are serving in the military or who must travel for work is something we should all be sensitive to and proactive as possible.
Thanks for reading, I know I have not written in this blog lately but I will again soon and hope you come back to read. Thank you again for taking the time to comment - God bless & stay posh! xoxo-K
Sadie I cannot believe I forgot to mention my support for the group Texans For Midwifery! Last year I lobbied with them along with Mamas of Color Rising for a rule change to allow Medicaid reimbursement for Licensed Midwives, and we were successful! Very exciting strides forward to increase access to midwifery care for poor women in the state of Texas, I cannot wait to work with them again this year and hopefully increase my volunteer efforts, I would love to serve on their board one day. I encourage you to look for a similar group in your area and give them whatever support you can!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the placeta capsules! I also had a 1 inch sqaure of raw placenta for the first week in a berry smoothie with greek yogurt and flax oil. That did wonders! I used liquid goldenseal but it worked just as well! A few drops once a day and his cord detached in 3 days and healed up completely in 5 :) I also had herb baths, uva ursil, lavender flower, and comfrey leaf with frankinsence essential oil and epsom salt. I sprayed my maxi pads with a mixture of witch hazel and lavendar essestial oil then put them in the freezer, they felt amazing! Thank you for all of your passionate work in Texas!
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