On Becoming a Mother & Postpartum Herbal Support
Days here in our little home have gone slow and yet so quick. I am two months postpartum and have found both beauty and challenges in the healing, sleepless nights, and in finding my rhythm again (not that I’ve totally gotten it together yet). My to-do lists remain half finished daily, with seemingly more to do each day, a body that is a bit slower and softer, and learning to bend to the needs of this new little life. While the challenges are present, the blessings are more abundant. I am thankful for the support of family and friends who care deeply and have shown up in so many different ways whether it be mopping our floors, bringing a home cooked meal or groceries. I am even more grateful for such a supportive and loving husband to go through the gift of life with. He has been such a rock these past two months doing anything and everything he can to help around the house, making our meals, working full time, and caring for me and baby so well. Overall, this time has been both sweet and life-giving. I am learning how beautiful it is to live a simple and quiet life that honors the Lord without a fear of “not doing enough” or fear of not being successful enough. A life well lived is one that honors the Lord in deed and especially within the home among our families.
Herbal support for postpartum:
St John’s Wort tincture - for the baby blues
Motherwort tincture - for easing afterpains
Baby Balm - Specifically for sore nipples
An herbal sitz bath - made from a variety of herbs (calendula, witch hazel, lavender, chamomile, comfrey, plantain and/ or yarrow) - about 3 or 4 tbsp of combo of herbs to 1 qt of water steeped overnight and added to a shallow sitz bath along with 1/4 C of epsom salt
All Wound Up Tincture - to ease anxieties that come along with caring for a newborn baby onto of being sleep deprived
A few postpartum herbals that I kept on my nightstand for easy access.
St. John’s Wort tincture from Blue Stem Botanicals
A potent Motherwort tincture I made fresh from the garden
Baby Balm to use on baby and to help ease discomfort from breastfeeding early on
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
