During pregnancy, the thoughts of the mother and the entire family naturally focus on the new family member and planning for the future. When the baby is born, life revolves around the little one's needs and rhythms. Life with a baby is intense, and parents can easily feel that their own needs must be pushed aside.
However, the well-being of parents – and often especially the mother who may be at home during the baby's early months – is the foundation of the entire family's well-being. Unfortunately, caring for the postnatal mother often becomes secondary after returning home, as attention shifts completely to the baby's growth and development.
Caring for a mother-to-be or a mother already in the midst of a hectic daily life is not vanity or luxury. It is about calming the nervous system and physiological recovery, which directly reflects on the balance of the entire family.
What happens in a mother's body and mind after childbirth?
The postnatal period – often referred to as the fourth trimester – is a sensitive time of adjustment. Research shows that it is one of the biggest biological and neurological upheavals in human life:
Hormonal and physical recovery: The mother's body recovery, tissue healing, and hormone balance can take up to two years to settle.
Structural changes in the brain: According to the research team of neuroscientist Elseline Hoekzema (Nature Neuroscience, 2016), pregnancy molds the structure of a woman's brain's gray matter for at least two years. These changes prime the brain to recognize the baby's needs and strengthen the bond, but at the same time make the mother more susceptible to stress and sensory stimuli.
So, a mother does not recover instantly, and she does not have to be able to do everything alone.
Why are relaxation and calming down beneficial?
Physiologically, the mother's well-being directly reflects on the baby through two key mechanisms:
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Oxytocin and cortisol balance:
When a mother experiences stress, the body's cortisol levels rise. Relaxation, gentle touch, and warmth, in turn, activate the parasympathetic nervous system and release oxytocin – the body's own calming and pleasure hormone. Oxytocin lowers blood pressure, alleviates pain, and has been shown to support milk production.
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Nervous system co-regulation (mirroring):
A newborn cannot regulate their own nervous system independently; they calm down through the adult's nervous system (co-regulation). When the mother's body and mind relax, the baby senses security and calms down more easily.
How to support the mother? – Tips for partners and close ones
Mother's self-care does not mean that a tired mother performs relaxation alone. Often the best support comes from those close to her:
Create an opportunity for a break: Take the baby in your arms or for a walk in the stroller for half an hour, so the mother can shower or rest without being on alert.
Take care of basic needs: Bring the mother a glass of water and nutritious food to her nursing or cuddling spot without being asked.
Touch without demands: In daily life with a baby, a mother may experience sensory overload from continuous baby contact (touched out). A short shoulder or foot massage can help restore touch as a relaxing and caring experience.
Small tips for daily pampering and body care
Small, natural wellness routines in daily life help relax the body and mind:
Tired hands and feet: Arrange a small home spa. A warm foot bath combined with a light massage stimulates blood circulation and relaxes muscles. Yummy Mummy Beauty Oil and Yummy Mummy Beauty Cream provide deep hydration to the skin and make the massage moment a comprehensive pampering experience.
Aromatherapy support for the mind: The genuine scents of natural cosmetics create a peaceful atmosphere without synthetic chemical burden. The natural sweet orange scent used in our products is known in aromatherapy for its mood-lifting and anxiety-relieving properties, which have also been studied as a reliever of physiological stress.
Mindful presence: Use the application of care products as a small mindfulness moment. Breathe deeply, listen to your own well-being, and pause for a moment amidst the baby-scented daily life.
Let's remember that caring for the mother and her self-care are not selfishness, but a necessary investment in the well-being of the entire family. A postnatal mother needs the experience of being supported herself.
So, let's not forget the mothers.
Sources:
Hoekzema, E., et al. (2016): Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nature Neuroscience. (Research on the effects of pregnancy and hormones on the mother's brain structure).
Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2014): The Oxytocin Factor: Tapping the Hormone of Calm, Love and Healing. (Information on the importance of oxytocin, touch, and rest for recovery).
Goes, T. C., et al. (2012): Effect of sweet orange aroma on experimental anxiety in humans. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (Effect of orange essential oil on alleviating anxiety and mood).
