Five Postpartum Self Care Practices We Love

You may have read this title and thought self-care postpartum, NO WAY! The fact is that it can be tough to prioritize any self-care during this stage in life. Most of our time is genuinely spent caring for our little ones both day and night. This week we are here to offer up five simple self-care practices that we love! Our goal is not to pressure new moms to do each of these practices but instead inspire new parents to remember to do something for themselves each day that connects them back to their bodies and self-care practices. Here are five postpartum self-care practices that we love.

Dry brushing

You may have heard this term floating around and wondered what precisely dry brushing is and what the benefits are? Dry brushing comes from ayurvedic medicine and helps drain lymphatic fluid, help with circulation, soften the skin, and even reduce the appearance of cellulite. This simple self-massage method is done before a shower. To order your dry brush, click here. It is recommended to dry brush before showering, starting at the base of your feet and working up to your head. After dry brushing, rinse and then apply your favorite body lotion.

Sitting in the sunshine

Yup, you read it right. Just a simple ten minutes alone in the sunshine postpartum is a form of self-care! Vitamin D is excellent for our mood, hormone balancing, sleep, and much more. If time allows, you can try grabbing your favorite book, journal, or baby and heading out to the sun for ten minutes each day.

Calling a friend

Calling a friend, family member, or trusted confidant who you trust to have honest and open conversations about postpartum is a serious form of self-care! We will repeat this time and again; postpartum is a beautiful time, but it is also a hard time! Having trusted people to talk about both the good and the bad is crucial.

Sitz baths and vaginal steams

Sitz baths and vaginal steaming are great forms of self-care, but they also have many other benefits for postpartum and healing after childbirth. While vaginal steaming shouldn’t be practiced until after vaginal bleeding from birth has subsided, Sitz baths can be done directly after delivery. Having a few minutes to focus on your body’s healing and check-in with yourself is an excellent form of care. Many different herbs can be used for this; some popular options are on amazon.

A postpartum doula

It’s no surprise that a postpartum doula is on our self-care list! A postpartum doula is there to help with all of the care practices listed above and more. A postpartum doula is a form of self-care. Doulas ensure that you are getting the rest, nourishment, emotional support, household support, and more that you need. Visit our website for more information on how a postpartum doula could benefit your postpartum period and be an added staple to your postpartum self-care practice.

Thank you for reading this week’s blog “Five postpartum self-care practices we love.” For more helpful tips on all things parenthood, pregnancy, and postpartum visit check out our other weekly blogs.