The other day I had an interview with a local mama who is looking for postpartum support specifically under the category of nourishment. She is due with her third child within the next month and is looking for help in having healthy meals made for them in their home for the first week or two following baby's arrival.
I completely commended her for thinking beyond the birth, because so few of us actually do. When I work with a mom just as a birth doula, she can never understand why I want to talk for at least an hour about her postpartum plan...and then, post baby she is delighted ( to say the least) that we had that conversation. There are many things that one can prepare for when you know help is not necessarily around the corner for your postpartum survival, maintenance, and success.
This mama's concern is that she has moved here recently and has yet to establish a circle of friends, there isn't a lot in terms of family around, and they are gluten and dairy free. The children she has are old enough to help themselves to prepared snacks, but not old enough to do the preparing themselves.
I also shared with her some of my favorite tips for best supporting her children during the labor/delivery as this is a homebirth and they will be present, along with household management tips for them after the baby comes.
We will meet within the next two weeks again so I can get acquainted with her home, kitchen, and pantry. In this session we will also make a list of favorite meals and snacks, get a handle on where the like their shopping done ( they are co-op shoppers, yeah!!!) and take a look at what we'll need to tackle first after baby's arrival.
There is nothing I enjoy more than supporting a mama in this lovely transition to holding a new life. There is always much to be done and when I can leave her tucked in and quiet to enjoy the new babe and some rest, there is nothing like it.
If you are considering postpartum support, check out my website for the many options available.
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