10 Natural Remedies for The First Six Weeks Postpartum

After the birth of my third baby, I started looking for more natural remedies to common postpartum issues. This time of learning and research prompted the idea for The First Six Weeks: Thriving Naturally on Your Postpartum Journey. Today, I want to share with you ten natural remedies for postpartum issues. These are supplements and remedies that I think every momma should know about to help her navigate whole healing in the first six weeks postpartum. {I used all of these after the birth of my fourth baby, except the herbal sitz bath which would have felt so soothing!}

{Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Please do your own research and consult with your care provider about dosages and use during the first six weeks postpartum.}

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Herbal Sitz Bath

Order a package of this BEFORE you have your little one! That way you have it as soon as you get some time to take a soak. Your hospital may provide you with a little sitz bath that fits onto your toilet, or you can add some of the herbs to a warm drawn bath. The herbs that are included in sitz baths are meant to soothe the injured area and help to speed healing. You will find most include comfrey and yarrow root, both help to reduce inflammation and yarrow is also good for soothing skin irritations.

Collagen Powder

Your skin and muscles need collagen as they are tightening and healing. Collagen is secreted by the body, but adding it to your smoothies or baking, or taking it in a capsule form can help speed the healing process.

Prenatal Vitamin

Please, please, please, continue to take your prenatal vitamin!! Your body is going through so many changes in this time and taking a prenatal vitamin will help ensure that you are getting the nutrients that your body needs for yourself and baby without causing momma severe mineral and nutrient depletion.

Echinacea

Echinacea is great for helping you keep your immune system functioning at it’s best! It is also helpful when you are dealing with clogged ducts and mastitis because of it’s anti-inflammatory and immune boosting benefits.

Belladona 30c

Belladona can be helpful when you have a fever or inflammation, both of which can occur with clogged ducts or mastitis.

Arnica

You can get arnica either in a homeopathic tablet, or as a gel. Both help with muscle aches and pains and can be very soothing for those who have had a cesarean, who have a large abdominal separation, or who have pushed for a long time. Arnica can also be helpful for shoulders that are sore from hunching over baby while nursing, sleeping in new positions, or lifting baby a lot.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for new mommas. Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to a longer healing period, as well as leave you at greater risk for postpartum mood disorders {PMDs}. If your little one is born in the warm weather months, getting outside for 20 minutes can help you get your daily dose of Vitamin D, but most people are deficient in it, so you may need an extra supplement to get your levels to the proper range. If your baby is born during the winter and fall months, definitely talk to your care provider about how much Vitamin D you should be taking. If you take 6,400 IUs of Vitamin D, your baby will get the recommended 400 IUs through your breastmilk and you won’t need to give baby a supplement.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Red Raspberry leaf is used during pregnancy to help tone the uterus and is said to help women have shorter labors. Some of that evidence for shorter labors may be anecdotal, but it can help you with uterine cramps as the organ which stretched to hold your baby shrinks down to it’s golf-ball size.

Lavender and other mood lifting essential oils

Diffusing lavender and other mood lifting essential oils like orange, peppermint, lemon, jasmine, and frankincense can help soothe your spirits after a restless night, and lift them on your blue days.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has a plethora of uses for the first six weeks postpartum. You can use it on cracked and sore nipples, diaper rash, thrush, and more! It’s healthy fat is great to add to smoothies, put on toast or bagels, or eat by the spoonful and it also can help lower your risks of PMDs while you eat it.

10 Natural Remedies for the First Six Weeks Postpartum