Natural Postpartum Care: A Guide for New Mothers

Herbs can be used for portpartum recovery

Welcoming a new baby into the world is one of life’s most transformative experiences. The postpartum period — often referred to as the fourth trimester — is a time of healing, adjustment, and deep emotional change. For many new mothers, prioritising natural postpartum care can offer gentle support, aiding both physical and emotional recovery after birth.

This guide explores how to approach postpartum care using natural recovery techniques and holistic healing tools. Whether you've had a straightforward vaginal birth or a more complex delivery, the journey of recovery can be supported by time-honoured practices rooted in nature, nourishment, and self-compassion.

Understanding Postpartum Recovery

The postpartum period typically lasts six to eight weeks, but the reality is that healing can take much longer — physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s not just about “bouncing back” but about finding your new rhythm.

Many modern postnatal care systems tend to focus on the baby, leaving mothers feeling unsupported or overlooked. However, traditional cultures have long honoured this sacred time with rituals, rest, and restorative practices to help new mothers regain strength and reconnect with themselves.

Natural postpartum care puts the mother back at the centre — encouraging her to slow down, nourish her body, and honour her recovery.

The Foundations of Natural Postpartum Care

Here are some key elements of holistic healing during the postpartum period:

1. Rest and Retreat

Your body has just undergone a profound transformation. Honour it by allowing adequate time to rest. This doesn’t mean you’ll be sleeping uninterrupted (we wish!), but carving out space to lie down, stay warm, and move gently can make a world of difference.

Many cultures recommend 30–40 days of confinement — a time when mothers stay indoors, are looked after by others, and do minimal physical exertion. This idea of “lying in” may not always be possible in today’s fast-paced world, but even small moments of intentional rest can support your recovery.

2. Nourishing Food and Hydration

Birth is a physically demanding event, and the body needs nutrient-dense food to heal tissues, balance hormones, and support milk production. Aim for warm, easily digestible meals like bone broths, stews, porridges, and herbal teas.

Foods rich in iron, healthy fats, and collagen can speed up natural recovery. Keep a water bottle nearby and consider herbal infusions like nettle, raspberry leaf, or oat straw to replenish minerals and support your nervous system.

3. Support for the Perineum and Pelvic Floor

For many new mothers, perineal soreness, tearing, or swelling are part of the postpartum experience. Natural remedies like witch hazel compresses, sitz baths, and cooling aloe vera can bring relief.

One beautiful product that can support healing is Pure Bliss Yoni Oil by Braido Organics — a 100% organic, herbal blend that can be used for postpartum recovery. It’s crafted with healing botanicals like calendula and evening primrose oil, which are known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. You can use it as a body oil, helping reduce swelling and promote tissue healing in a natural and gentle way.

Emotional and Mental Wellness

4. Acknowledging Emotions

The emotional changes that come after birth can feel intense. From elation to exhaustion, vulnerability to joy — it’s normal to experience a wide range of feelings, often all in the same hour.

Make space to process your emotions, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Speaking to a postpartum doula, therapist, or just a trusted friend can be a powerful act of self-care. Journalling, meditating, or simply taking quiet time can also help you stay grounded.

5. Connection and Community

While the early days with your baby can be deeply bonding, they can also be isolating. Staying connected with other new mothers, whether through online support groups, local mum circles, or gentle baby classes, can offer both emotional support and practical tips.

Postpartum care doesn’t need to be done alone. Allow others to support you — with meals, errands, or simply a listening ear. You were never meant to mother in isolation.

Natural Healing Tools and Rituals

6. Herbal Support

Herbs have long played a role in supporting the postpartum body. In addition to Gaea’s Garden, consider these herbal allies:

• Chamomile for relaxation and digestion

• Fenugreek or fennel to support lactation

• Motherwort for calming the heart and soothing anxiety

You can use herbs in teas, tinctures, or baths — just ensure they’re safe for breastfeeding and check with a healthcare provider if unsure.

7. Abdominal Binding and Belly Care

In some cultures, postpartum belly binding is used to support the abdominal muscles and lower back as they regain strength. Using a soft wrap or traditional bind like a Bengkung can help you feel held and supported.

You can also gently massage your belly with warm oil — such as sesame or calendula-infused — to promote circulation and reconnect with your womb space.

Gentle Movement and Body Awareness

8. Honouring Your Body’s Pace

After birth, your body may feel unfamiliar. That’s okay. Give it time. When you feel ready, start with gentle stretching, pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels), and walking.

Avoid rushing into intense physical activity. Instead, work with your body, not against it. Postnatal yoga, bodywork like reflexology, or even laying on the floor with your baby can help you reconnect and heal from within.

Closing Thoughts: Honouring the Fourth Trimester

The early postpartum period is a delicate, sacred window. It’s a time to be gentle with yourself, seek nourishment over productivity, and embrace healing as a process — not a race.

Choosing natural postpartum care doesn’t mean doing everything alone or rejecting modern medicine. It simply means approaching recovery with intention, using time-tested tools and listening to your body’s needs. For some, that may look like herbal baths and belly wraps. For others, it might be allowing themselves to cry in the shower or ask for more help.

Whatever your journey, know that you deserve support, softness, and time to find your way as a mother.

A Loving Recommendation: Gaea’s Garden by Braido Organics

If you’re looking for a postpartum healing product that combines the wisdom of herbal medicine with the gentleness your body deserves, we highly recommend Gaea’s Garden by Braido Organics. Thoughtfully created for new mothers, this herbal blend makes a beautiful gift to yourself or a loved one after birth.

However you use it, let it be a small ritual of care, connection, and healing during this tender chapter.

Remember, mama: your healing matters. You don’t need to be everything to everyone — just be gentle with yourself. Trust your body. Lean into rest. And let nature support you as you navigate life after birth.