What No One Tells You About Postpartum Recovery, the Changes Your Body Goes Through, and How to Support Your Health During This Sacred Time

Becoming a mother is a sacred transformation—a rite of passage that has been honored for generations. It is not just about giving birth but stepping into a new identity, a process deeply woven into your body, mind, and soul.

Yet today, this sacred time is rushed, dismissed, and burdened with unrealistic expectations to “bounce back.”

This modern pressure is not natural. It is a result of disconnecting from ancestral traditions—traditions where postpartum healing was honored with deep nourishment, warmth, and radical care.

Your body does not need pressure. Your body needs time. Nourishment. Restoration.

You have just brought life into this world.
Now, your own body deserves the same devotion you give your baby.

 

What No One Tells You About Postpartum Recovery (But They Should)

Postpartum recovery is not just a physical process—it’s a complete transformation from the inside out. Unfortunately, many of the deeper needs for nurturing during this time go overlooked by conventional postpartum care, which often ignores ancestral wisdom traditions.

TRUTH: Postpartum recovery is NOT just six weeks. It’s a nine to twelve-month process (at minimum).

For centuries, ancestral traditions recognized 40 days of postpartum rest—a sacred window where mothers were not expected to “bounce back” but to focus entirely on nourishment and healing. Traditional postpartum practices from Ayurveda, Persian Medicine, Chinese Medicine, and indigenous cultures prioritized warmth, mineral replenishment, and easy-to-digest, collagen-rich foods to restore the body.

Modern science now confirms what ancient wisdom always knew:

➣ Metabolic Changes – Studies show that postpartum metabolic shifts continue well past six months.

➣ Nutrient Depletion – Pregnancy depletes over 10 key vitamins and minerals—iron, zinc, choline, omega-3s, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Restoring these stores isn’t instant—it takes a minimum of 6-12 months, sometimes longer if depletion was significant..

➣ Collagen Loss – Postpartum women experience a 30 percent drop in collagen, impacting skin elasticity, hair health, and pelvic floor strength.

What To Do:

Prioritize collagen-rich broths, mineral-packed foods like liver, egg yolks, and raw dairy, and herbal nourishment to restore depleted reserves.

TRUTH: You are NOT automatically getting the nutrients you need from diet alone.

Even if you're eating a balanced diet, it’s unlikely that you’re receiving all the necessary nutrients postpartum. Pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete vital minerals and fat-soluble vitamins that are crucial for hormone regulation, brain function, and milk production. Studies show that nearly half of postpartum mothers are deficient in essential nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and choline.

These deficiencies can negatively affect the body’s recovery, as well as the mother’s mental health and milk supply. To support your health, focus on nutrient-rich foods, such as liver, red meat, pasture-raised eggs, raw dairy, and sustainable seafood. Also, consume mineral-rich broths, coconut water, and magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds to replenish your body’s lost nutrients.

TRUTH: Breastfeeding struggles are often due to nutrient depletion, NOT low supply.

Most breastfeeding challenges don’t stem from an inability to produce milk—but rather from nutrient depletion, metabolic stress, or misinformation about infant feeding patterns.

Breast milk production is primarily driven by demand—the more you nurse, the more milk your body will produce. In fact, 95% of mothers are capable of producing adequate milk when properly nourished. If milk supply seems low, the issue is more likely related to insufficient nutrition, not an inherent inability to produce milk. Focus on nourishing foods rich in healthy fats, protein, and hydration. Foods like eggs, butter, and slow-cooked meats, along with herbs like fennel, goat’s rue, and shatavari, can naturally enhance milk production. Avoid polyunsaturated seed oils, which can interfere with hormones and milk quality. Wild Wholistic remedies are free of seed oils.

TRUTH: Your brain and hormones are rewiring—you are BECOMING someone new.

Postpartum is not just a physical change—it's an emotional and mental transformation as well. This process, known as “matrescence,” is as profound as adolescence. After childbirth, there is a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can lead to mood swings and emotional sensitivity. At the same time, prolactin and oxytocin levels increase to support milk production and bonding with your baby.

Your body’s cortisol levels (the stress hormone) fluctuate as well, often leading to feelings of overwhelm. Supporting these hormonal changes requires nourishment and self-care. Herbal allies like saffron and magnesium help calm the nervous system, while B vitamins and choline aid in stabilizing neurotransmitters. Regular sunlight exposure, red light therapy, and the use of ancient herbs like raspberry leaf, nettle, and ashwagandha can help maintain balance during this transformative time.

 

Harmonizing Hormones & Emotional Shifts

Postpartum is a profound time of transformation—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As you step into motherhood, you may experience a shift in identity, a rebalancing of your hormones, and moments of deep joy mixed with exhaustion. These feelings are normal, yet rarely discussed in mainstream conversations about motherhood.

Breastfeeding, while deeply nourishing and biologically designed, can also present challenges. Latch issues, supply concerns, and external pressures to breastfeed exclusively can add unnecessary stress to an already demanding period. If you’re struggling, know that you are not alone—and that there are ways to support both your body and your baby while you regain balance.

 

Beyond ‘Fed is Best’—What a Baby Needs is Nourishment.

If direct breastfeeding is difficult, there are wholistic options to ensure your baby receives optimal nourishment while you focus on your own healing:

• Breastmilk Donation & Wet Nursing: Many traditional cultures relied on wet nurses or shared nursing communities. Seeking donor breastmilk from trusted sources (such as reputable breastmilk banks or ancestral community networks) can provide your baby with the immunity-boosting benefits of human milk.

• Ancestral Nourishing Formulas: If donor milk isn’t an option, carefully crafted homemade alternatives using raw goat’s milk-based formulas with balanced minerals, fats, and sugars can serve as a bridge while a mother focuses on postpartum healing.

• Supporting Milk Supply Naturally: Many breastfeeding challenges are linked to nutrient depletion, stress, or metabolic imbalances rather than an inherent lack of supply. Prioritizing liver, eggs, raw dairy, seafood, mineral-rich broths, and well-balanced carbohydrates while avoiding inflammatory seed oils can help restore balance.

• Herbal Support for Milk Flow & Hormonal Balance: Ancestral cultures have long relied on herbs such as fennel seed, blessed thistle, plantain leaf, saffron, and ginger—all found in Nurtured Mother—to gently support lactation, digestion, and emotional well-being postpartum.

 

Ancestral Wisdom for Postpartum Hormonal Recovery

After birth, estrogen and progesterone drop dramatically, while prolactin and oxytocin rise to support milk production and bonding. These hormonal shifts can bring waves of emotional sensitivity, mood swings, and fatigue. Supporting postpartum recovery means:

• Balancing blood sugar with nourishing whole foods like root vegetables, ripe fruits, and well-cooked grains.

• Replenishing minerals through sea salt, bone broth, and mineral-rich herbal infusions.

• Honoring rest & warmth—traditional postpartum care emphasized keeping the mother warm, nourished, and supported by her community.

• Sunlight & grounding—gentle exposure to natural light and time outdoors can help regulate circadian rhythms and mood.

Postpartum Nourishment: Wisdom from Our Ancestors 

Before reaching for supplements, look to the ancestral foods that have nourished postpartum mothers for generations. Across cultures, postpartum recovery was recognized as a sacred window of healing—one that required deep replenishment, warmth, and restoration.

In ancient Persia, new mothers were given saffron-infused broths, milk tonics, and herbal remedies—not just to support physical recovery but to protect the mind and spirit from postpartum depletion. Saffron was revered as a sacred remedy, known to balance hormones, regulate mood, and even prevent postpartum depression. What our ancestors knew, modern research now confirms. Saffron, revered as the “Sunshine Herb,” has been shown to uplift mood, regulate cortisol, and support emotional well-being—traditional ancestral wisdom that is now validated by modern research.

Beyond saffron, bone broths, organ meats, and mineral-rich herbal infusions were staples in postpartum care. Liver, red meat, and shellfish provided iron and B vitamins to rebuild blood, while warming foods like ginger, garlic supported circulation, digestion, and milk production.

While modern supplements (like those we offer at Wild Wholistic) can certainly play a supportive role, ancestral foods focus on whole nourishment and holistic healing. These foods have stood the test of time because they help rebuild the body from the inside out. (Re)turning to traditional meals can be a powerful way to support your postpartum journey.

Recovery Takes Time

Healing is not linear. It does not fit into a six-week timeline or a “bounce-back” culture.

You are not meant to return to who you were before birth—you are meant to evolve.

Honor your body. Feed it with real nourishment, warmth, and deep restoration.

You deserve care. You deserve nourishment. You deserve time.

And if no one else is giving you permission to heal slowly, deeply, and fully—Let this be your permission.

 

Herbal allies to deeply nourish and nurture you during your recovery journey:

Nourished Body

Postpartum Superfood Formula

Your body has just given life—it needs deep nourishment to restore balance, rebuild minerals, and support energy levels. Postpartum mothers require a blend rich in bioavailable vitamins and minerals to replenish nutrient depletion. This formula helps support hair, skin, and nail strength with silica-rich horsetail, aids digestion and liver health with yellow dock and alfalfa, and nourishes blood and iron levels with nettle and moringa. Key ingredients like nettle leaf are high in iron and minerals, which help recover from postpartum blood loss, while moringa leaf supports energy, hormone balance, and milk production. Horsetail herb strengthens connective tissues and supports collagen, and goji berry and acai provide antioxidant powerhouses for cellular repair. Restore your strength before depletion hits. Take daily for full-body nourishment.

Nurtured Mother

Herbal Lactation Support & Hormone Balance

Postpartum is a time of hormonal shifts, milk production, and emotional transitions. Our Nurtured Mother blend helps you navigate this journey with herbs that support a healthy milk supply, soothe digestive discomfort, calm the nervous system, and balance postpartum emotions. It also eases postpartum bloating and gut imbalances. Key ingredients like fennel and anise seed are traditional lactation-supporting herbs, while jujube fruit and saffron extract nourish the nervous system and combat postpartum mood swings. Blessed thistle and ginger root stimulate digestion and improve nutrient absorption. Remember, a nourished mother = a nourished baby. Take Nurtured Mother daily for enhanced milk flow and improved emotional well-being.

 

3 Postpartum Wholistic Tips

1. Prioritize Self-care
   Self-care isn’t selfish—after giving birth, it’s essential. Whether it’s a five-minute meditation, a warm bath, or a quick walk outside, taking time for yourself is crucial. These small moments of care will recharge you mentally, emotionally, and physically, giving you the energy to show up for your baby, your partner, and yourself.

2. Hydrate & Nourish
   Proper hydration and nutrition are key to recovery. Drink plenty of water and consume nourishing meals. Focus on whole foods, including healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates to support energy levels and breastfeeding.

3. Ask for Help
   You don’t have to do this alone. Whether it’s hiring a postpartum doula, accepting help from friends or family, or joining a support group, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. No one should have to go through this transition without support.

 

*Disclaimer: While herbal medicine for pregnancy and postpartum support has been used for centuries, they are complementary practices and should not replace professional medical advice or treatment. If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, consult a qualified healthcare provider before introducing new herbal supplements to your wellness routine.