For Your Postpartum Daughter-in-law

My Dear Friend -

Childbearing is usually a great equalizer . . . she is likely to appreciate a "hot drink" and "some nourishing food" properly prepared *grin*. Does she use milk? Make her a yummy hot spice milk or almond milk with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, like that and sweeten, add a teaspoon of clarified butter, unsalted butter or almond butter. Best, make enough for 2 or three servings a day. ... Lend them a thermos and fill with fresh daily, fennel-fenugreek tea (weak - ½ tsp of the mix in 1 quart) to keep by her side - she won't have to get up to warm it and the warmth feels so good. Lend her a hot water bottle and give it to her with 2 cups really hot water in it - just offer for her tummy, lower back or shoulders etc (too full won't stay put, or bulges scarily when one lays on it).

And some warm oil on her shoulders, feet, back, well you are in, I would expect. If you have a massage table it is more comfortable anyway, or bring some old sheets to put over hers and do on the bed; keep her warm with old towels and really warm oil too. After she feels just the feet and shoulders, she likely will surrender into your loving care. Then run a hot bath for her and offer to prep some food/watch baby while she soaks in Epsom salts and lavender oil.

Offer to change the sheets (usually need it about 3 times a week when nursing), and don't offer, just clean up those dishes, and the bouquets so they last a little longer and arrange for some groceries. You'll be hired (I know, for free, what a gift!).

Maybe your daughter-in-law would accept a copy of my recipe collection. Or show her some testimonials and an article or two (when it has been published, people tend to believe more than from your mouth perhaps).

If she is feeling really low, she may welcome in addition a private consultation with an expert and perhaps some personalized herbal or essential oils support which will likely be part of the recommendations. Base rate is $85/hour, sliding scale work is available. Usually if you leave her a phone number, it will get buried or forgotten though - offer to ring us for her or get her permission for us to call her.

And enjoy your good fortune to hold that little one a little longer, while the mother gets a much needed nap too, if you have the time! Then if she realizes she could accept more of the same, offer to help her make a list of friends, and pick a best friend to give it to with a few instructions, including a copy of the Cooking tips (foods2favorFoods2avoid) sheet! It takes a village to raise a child.

ENJOY!

Ysha

From Touching Heaven, Tonic Postpartum Care with Ayurveda. Consultations, correspondence training modules, and the companion e-books, Touching Heaven, Tonic Postpartum Care/Cooking with Ayurveda are available by E-download at sacredwindow.com.

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