Honouring the Mother - Celebrating the journey of becoming a parent

Having a child is one of the most profound life experiences a person can ever have.

And like most events of this magnitude, it is impossible to put these changes into words.

But we try. We resort to, at times, meaningless idioms like “enjoy every minute” or “sleep when the baby sleeps” or “they grow up so fast”. And instead of these words providing the support and care that they are usually intended to, they leave parents feeling alone or inadequate, particularly if you are struggling.

The term “matrescence” has been used in the last few years to describe the profound psychological, hormonal, cognitive, environmental, and physical changes that a person goes through when you become a parent.

Like adolescence, it encompasses the huge transition that takes place to your body and mind. Unlike adolescence, you need to manage these changes while also keeping a small human alive. So you can see the challenge.

This Mother’s Day, we want to honour all the parts of being a parent - the amazing, the delightful, the exhausting, and the grind.

We want to show you ways that you can find support for this life-altering transition – whether it is your first baby or your fourth.

And we hope we give you and those around you some ideas for ways that you can feel truly supported and cared for this Mother’s Day – flowers and card- optional.

And as always, if you would like more in-depth or individualised support, please book an appointment or get in touch.

Note: In this article, we are focusing on ways to support you if you have been through the physical process of giving birth, but please know that if you have had a child by any other means, the transition is no less meaningful and impactful, and we hope that you'll find the below suggestions relevant and helpful.

Nourishing food and fluids

Feeding yourself well can go a very long way to supporting your physical recovery and your mental health post-birth.

Think of parenting like being in constant training for an endurance event - you need specific fuel to ensure you can make it through. And if you are recovering from either a vaginal or caesarean birth; and/or breastfeeding, then you have even higher nutrient needs.

And – you’re also shorter on time and sleep than you’ve ever been.

So this is where you must call on your network - and yes that network may include Uber Eats.

When people ask that well-meaning question “How can I help?”, answer with “Food”.

Ask people to make you meals that can be frozen and simply reheated. Get one friend or family member a week to drop off a meal (home made or pre-purchased, depending on their preference and capacity). If you’re still pregnant, talk to people in your community about setting up a meal train once baby has arrived.

In terms of what to eat, you want to get as many easy-to-absorb nutrients in your body as you possibly can – and ideally within foods you can eat with one-hand. I love to recommend soups and stews, but only if you have someone you can pass the baby over to while you eat, because no one wants to drip hot soup on a newborn’s head 😊.

Smoothies are also a great option – you can get a lot of fruit and veggies into one cup. Just ensure that you include some protein to support your body’s repair and immune system. Check out the healing postpartum smoothie recipe below for inspiration.

Fluids are the other important part of this equation. Ensuring you have sufficient fluids will help with breastfeeding, keep your bowels moving, and are also just a requirement for human survival.

In the postpartum period, I love to recommend gentle herbal teas. They are warming, provide hydration and can also contain nutrients and added plant compounds that support healing, digestion, and help with stress. Try a simple Chamomile tea for stress and digestion, Nettles for added nutrients (also nice if you suffer from allergies), or the LifeCycles Breastfeeding Tea for a well-rounded formula that supports breastfeeding and postpartum recovery.

Help and support

In last month’s blog we spoke about building community and the fourth trimester - and this same advice is worth repeating. None of us were meant to do this alone and you shouldn’t have to. Check out the blog for ways to build your own village, and see the links below for professional help and support.