“There’s little glamour to the late-night feedings and diaper changes. And, you’re showing up for child and yourself with quiet courage, in ways that truly matter. You’re learning how to care for a tiny human, and yourself. Every nurturing act of love sets the foundation for their world. So doesn’t it make sense that you’re kind and loving towards yourself? Could you be setting unrealistic expectations for yourself?

No one can do it alone. Every mom needs support.”

Transitions are difficult, even when change, like welcoming a baby home, is desired and excitedly anticipated.In the early days of motherhood, baby’s primary needs - to sleep, be held, fed and changed, are a priority. 

In reality, there’s limited time and space for your self-care practices. And because they’re also a priority, integrating simple practices into your daily routine is optimal. 

DSNYC sits down with Blair Silverman of Integrative Wellness Solutions to discuss nutrition during the early postnatal period. We discuss Ayurveda and the foods the best support c-section recovery as well as breastfeeding. A woman needs to be kind and patient with herself while making healthy and mindful choices for her family. Ultimately, when a woman is willing to give herself time to heal, a compassionate and benevolent mental state augments her recovery.

Oxytocin is the hormone mainly responsible for contractions during labor and bonding. Oxytocin is even found in breast milk. Studies show that a nursing mother is often calm and relaxed. Pitocin, on the other hand, is a synthetic form of oxytocin that doesn’t offer all of the benefits of its natural counterpart. It’s important to understand the distinction between oxytocin and pitocin, and to discuss it with your doctor, during your pregnancy, before labor even begins.