Ayurveda & Postpartum: 3 Simple Ways to Support Your Recovery
Hi Mamas and Mamas-to-be!
I studied Ayurveda throughout my 20s, but it wasn’t until I had my first baby at 37—exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely in awe—that I truly felt the power of this 5,000-year-old science.
Ayurveda gave me a soft place to land.
It offered simple, grounding tools that helped me recover (emotionally and physically), reconnect with myself, and keep going—even on the days I barely slept and had spit-up in my hair.
The Ayurvedic wisdom around postpartum care runs deep—and let’s be honest, it can feel like a lot. So I’ve pulled together three of the most helpful tools that made a difference in my own recovery—plus links if you want to explore more.
1. 🔥 Rekindle Your Digestion (Because Your Gut is Tired Too)
Birth is beautiful and wild—and your body goes through a major transformation. One of the first things to slow down afterward? Digestion.
In Ayurveda, digestion is called Agni, or your inner fire. After baby arrives, that fire can dim. You might feel bloated, gassy, or just "off"—especially if you’re grabbing whatever’s easy to eat with one hand (#momlife).
The good news: you can gently stoke that fire again with warm, nourishing, easy-to-digest foods. Think:
🥣 Cooked veggies and grains
🧄 Healing spices like cumin, fennel, and ginger
🍵 Herbal teas to support recovery and lactation
Skip the cold smoothies and raw salads for now—your gut needs warmth and grounding.
2. 💆🏽♀️ Ayurvedic Massage = Magic in Oil Form
Let’s talk Abhyanga—a traditional Ayurvedic massage using warm oils like sesame or coconut. It’s one of the most nourishing things you can do for your body after birth. (And no, it doesn’t have to be fancy or take forever.)
If you’ve had a vaginal birth, you can usually start around day 7. For a C-section, wait until your stitches are healed—and always check with your doctor first.
Why it’s worth it:
✨ Relieves soreness
😴 Promotes better sleep (yes please)
💨 Eases stress and anxiety
🩸 Improves circulation and supports uterine recovery
🍼 Supports lactation (yes, breast massage is a thing—just wipe off the oil before feeding)
Even a quick 10-minute self-massage before your shower can feel like a mini reset.
3. 🌬 Breathwork = Sanity Support (That Takes 3 Minutes or Less)
New mom life = constant input. Your phone, your baby, your brain—it’s a lot.
When I felt like I was on the edge, breathwork became my lifeline. No need for a yoga mat or candlelit corner. You can do it lying on the floor, nursing, or rocking your baby.
Try this:
✔ Just sit (or lay) still for a minute
✔ Inhale deeply through your nose
✔ Exhale slowly
✔ Repeat
Even 3 deep breaths can shift how you feel in your body.
If you're ready for something more structured, I share my two go-to postpartum breathing techniques.