Thoughts on Being a New Mama- Again

April 7, 2014 by pocketdoula 8 Comments

 

I am very pleased to be part of the blog hop today. I have a ten year gap between my babies—so the second time for me was, in a way, a chance to be a new mom all over again. I didn’t feel attached to anything I did the first time around and really wanted to enjoy this experience fully. I mean really this is mom thing is something I am only planning on doing twice in my life. And I think really for the most part, pregnancy and mother hood is something we will only do a small number of times over the whole course of our living. And the initial newness of it all only lasts such a short time in the grand scheme of things. So here’s what I’ve picked up, both through my real life mothering experience and my work as a healer & doula.

 

1. Take 40 days for real!!!! In many cultures across the world mothers take 40 days after birth to recover. DO IT!!!! There are lots of reasons. The first is basic physiology. It is normal in birth for women to loose around 1 pint of blood. If you have surgery or a heavy bleed, this could be more. It is normal—but your body physically need time to recover. The best ways to recover are rest and eating well. This is why you are totally allowed to lie in bed for days and be fed and cared for by doting family & friends. Another reason for the 40 day rest period is to bond with your baby. Sleep together, bath together, drink each other in. This is your babymoon. Live it up. You will never regret loving your baby—and it is impossible to love your baby too much. Of course your partner can join in! This kind of close intimacy is the strongest foundation for your family.
2. Get your bones closed. When you give birth—no matter how—you open. Physically, emotionally and energetically. Once the baby is in your arms it is time to claim that energy back for yourself and support your body physically moving back together. You can do this with rebozo, with belly wrapping and with yoga and mediation. Your pelvic floors and energy levels will thank you! Read more here.
3. Just do what you like! Be really kind to yourself and let go of what you feel like you ‘should’ be doing. Honestly there are no parenting choices that are really impossible to undo if you change your mind later. If something doesn’t feel right or isn’t working—from basic things like getting dressed in the mornings to harder stuff like bed times or feeding, be flexible and just keep trying things till you find what works for your and your family.

 

 

Finally here is a little treat, a recipe for groaning cake.

 

Groaning Cake:

A groaning cake is a rich spiced cake that traditionally women bake during labour    (thus the name). As a doula, it is a cake that I pack with as much nourishment as I can and give to new mothers. I always make sure to include iron rich fruits and nuts. The ingredients are flexible and it is a completely forgiving recipe so feel free to experiment—adding pumpkin, banana or berries for example. I bake in a loaf tin so it is easy to slice and for mamas to grab and eat on the go, or while feeding.

 

3 cups flour (I use a combo of spelt & einkorn flour)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp cinnamon

½ tsp cloves

1 Tbsp fresh ginger

½ sweet potato peeled & grated

1 big apple grated

1 carrot grated

½ cup walnuts or pecans- chopped

½ cup chopped dates & apricots

¼ cup orange juice

4 eggs

¼ cup blackstrap molasses

1 tsp almond extract

1 cup honey

¾ cup coconut oil – melted

 

Heat oven to 350 F, 180 C and grease & line bottom of pans with baking parchment (I usually fill 4 ½ lb loaf pans).

Soak the dried fruit in ¼ cup of orange juice.

In bowl mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves.

In another bowl lightly beat eggs, add the rest of the ingredients to the eggs including the dates & apricots in the orange juice.

Add the wet to the dry and mix until just combined.

Divide into 4 1 LB loaf tins and bake about 45 minutes or until skewer inserted in middle comes out clean.

Allow to cool. Taste great served warm with butter or a dollop of cream. Can also be eaten cold. The extras freeze well.

 

Being a first-time mama is an amazing experience. The New Mama Welcome Pack blog hop is a celebration of this life changing event! Follow the links to discover more unmissable advice, stories and essential tips. And if you’re a new mama who wants to rock motherhood without guilt, overwhelm or losing yourself, check out the New Mama Welcome Pack here.

New Mama Welcome Pack / Lotte Lane / Dreaming Aloud / Zhendria / Birthing in Conscious Choice / Natalie Garay / Eli Trier / Knecht Ruprecht / Lise Meijer / Naomi Goodlet / A Lifestyle By Design / Story of Mum / Like a Bird / Holistic Mama / Birth Geek / Joyful Parenting / Stroller Packing / My Healthy Beginning / Mums and More / Kate Beddow – Growing Spirits / Ellen Nightingale / Stacie Whitney / Maternity Leavers / Photography for Busy Parents / Close Enough To Kiss / Atelier Susana Tavares / Offbeat Family / Katie m. Berggren ~ Painting Motherhood / Winship Wellness Blog / Liberate From Weight / Jessica Cary / Art + Craft / Raising Playful Tots / Peaceful Mothering / Play Activities / Lauren Nenna / Nurture You / The Adventure Mama / Be Wise Be Healthy / b.a.d.momGoodmom / Doula in Your Pocket / Making Mom Strong / Adrienn Csoknyay / Joyful Parents / Alison Hummel / Simple Solutions for Photos / Lynne Newman / Euphoric Birth / Mumpreneur Mentor / A Walk in the Clouds / Parenting on the Fence / MiaMily