New mothers that are cared for, loved and respected blossom. The postnatal period is a short and intense season, a sacred time of amazing adjustment and extreme vulnerability. Many traditions around this rite of passage exist from every culture that are in need of reclaiming, all of which include nurturing foods and loving touch. Both of these aspects are woven into the postnatal care I offer women in the way of food packages, ceremonial baths and loving massage.
Months of preparing for the arrival of a new being, experiencing the body transform, then hours of labour give way to another transformation. With this transformation come intense feelings, full to bursting heart, the tender healing body and amazing devotion to this unfurling little human. Little room can be expected to feed and care for herself and nor should she have to. This is a time for a woman to be worshipped and loved so that she can devote what is needed to forge that all important bond, take time to heal and rest, loosen the grip on the external stresses such as cooking and cleaning.
Feeding and nurturing a new mother with nutritious and healing food is an act of love not just to her but to the baby, it enables and supports the bond, promotes that magical hormone oxytocin needed to support both bonding and feeding, both of which are merged in their nature. Comfort food, food to comfort, food is used to celebrate, console, reward. Food is a fundamental human need that influences both our physical and emotional state.
When I massage a new mother, rock her, warm her then wrap her in the rebozo. When I prepare her a milk and honey bath filled with rose petals then after feed her with nutritious and healing foods, my heart soars. If I can leave a mother feeling loved and fed body and soul then I am happy.
My greatest wish for every woman is that she transitions happily and healthily into motherhood and to me, part of loving is feeding. It feels amazing to arrive at the home of a new mother with a box full of good food lovingly prepared. To sit and listen and share with her over a bowl of cleansing broth, a pot of nursing tea and a lactation cookie, maybe a rich gooey brownie. This to me is postnatal bliss. Loving touch, compassionate and respectful listening, food made with loving intention.
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