A Simple Postpartum Self-Care Ritual
It might feel selfish to put any priority on yourself after having a baby. If you aren’t cared for though, it will feel harder to care for your baby. The newborn and infant periods are extremely demanding. Prioritizing taking time for yourself amidst all the chaos will help you be more present and feel more relaxed in your role as a mother.
Below is a three-step simple postpartum self-care ritual to consider doing as a daily or weekly routine.
Self-Massage
Self-massage, or abhyanga, is an Ayurvedic practice to increase circulation and flush out toxics during the postpartum period. It nourishes the nervous system and creates balance in the body.
After giving birth, whether vaginally or by C-section, the body is going to feel sore and out of balance. By practicing self-message, it will help reduce swelling, improve milk production, and reduce stress. It is also a beautiful way to show your body some love even when you might not be loving the way your body looks or feels.
Place a bottle of pure sesame oil in a cup of hot water.
Place a towel on the ground to catch any excess oil.
Once the oil is warm, place it in your hands and begin to gently massage your body. Start with your scalp and work your way down to your feet.
If you have stitching that is healing, avoid placing oil on that area.
Use up and down strokes over your limbs and circular strokes around your joints.
Apply lighter pressure on your chest and abdomen.
Massage your breasts to relieve tenderness.
Give clock-wise gentle strokes to the abdominal area, sending extra love to your uterus.
Herbal Bath
An herbal bath after self-massage allows you time to be still, relax, and reflect on motherhood. Herbal baths help heal the perineal tissue, stitches, and hemorrhoids, as well as reduce inflammation.
There are premade mixes that you can purchase or you can make your own mix using lavender, calendula, rose, chamomile, tulsi, and shatavari.
Take a handful of those herbs and add them to a pot of boiled hot water.
Let them steep for 20 minutes and then add them to the bath.
For both the herbal bath and self-massage, you should wait until heavy bleeding stops.
Belling Binding
Belling binding grounds the nervous system, aids digestion, supports your posture, and helps your organs go back into their proper positions. It also feels really good after giving birth.
You can wrap your belly as soon as you feel ready and you can keep it wrapped for as long as it feels comfortable. If you had a C-section, wait until the scarring heals or use something with Velcro or something you can slide on that is tubular.
There are many different types of wraps you can use. The easiest way to do it is by using a baby wrap or scarf. All you need is a long piece of fabric. Simply wrap it around your belly and lower abdomen tight enough so that it feels like a hug around that part of your body.
