For most of human history, postpartum care was deeply valued, woven into the fabric of community life. Across cultures, new mothers were nurtured, rested, and cared for by those around them. Yet, in many modern Western societies, this crucial period of recovery and bonding has been overlooked—leaving parents to navigate the postpartum transition largely on their own.

Traditional Postpartum Care Around the World

Many cultures have long recognized that birth is not just about the baby—it’s also about the healing and well-being of the parent. The postpartum period was (and still is) honored with specific traditions designed to nurture the new mother, restore her strength, and ensure a smooth transition into parenthood.

• China – “Zuo Yue Zi” (Sitting the Month): For 30-40 days after birth, new mothers follow a strict period of rest, warmth, and nourishing food while family members handle daily tasks. Traditional Chinese Medicine sees this time as essential for replenishing energy (Qi) and preventing long-term health issues.
• India – The 40-Day Resting Period: In many Indian communities, new mothers are cared for by family, given nutrient-rich foods like ghee-based dishes, and receive daily oil massages to aid recovery and bonding.
• Latin America – “La Cuarentena”: Meaning “the quarantine,” this practice lasts for about six weeks, during which mothers are supported by their extended family, kept warm, and encouraged to focus solely on healing and breastfeeding.
• Indigenous Australian & Māori Traditions: Indigenous cultures across Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand) emphasize deep communal support. Elders and family members provide care, often passing down generational knowledge about traditional healing, herbal remedies, and spiritual well-being.
• West African Traditions: Many West African cultures practice “mother roasting,” where warmth, massage, herbal baths, and special diets are used to help a new mother recover. New parents are expected to focus entirely on their baby while others in the community take care of household responsibilities.
• United Kingdom – Belly Wrapping with a Bedsheet: Belly wrapping, or abdominal binding, has been practiced in many cultures, including in parts of the UK, where women historically used a tightly wrapped bedsheet after birth. This method provided gentle support for the abdomen, encouraged proper posture, and was believed to help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy position. While less common today, belly wrapping is still practiced in various forms worldwide, including with modern wraps and binders.

What About the West? The Decline of Postpartum Care

Historically, Western cultures also had strong postpartum traditions, but over time, many of these practices have faded:

• European Traditions: In medieval and early modern Europe, “lying-in” was a common practice where new mothers were expected to rest in bed for several weeks while being cared for by family members and midwives.
• Early American Traditions: In colonial America, women often received help from neighbors and extended family in a practice called “doing the month.” This was similar to Asian and Latin American traditions, ensuring the mother had time to recover.
• Industrialization & Medicalization: As Western societies became more industrialized, extended family support decreased, and birth moved from home to hospital settings. The postpartum period became increasingly medicalized, and the focus shifted away from emotional and communal support to clinical check-ups.
• The Modern Shift: Today, in many Western cultures, postpartum care is often minimal. New parents are typically discharged from the hospital within 24-48 hours, and aside from a 6-week check-up, little structured support exists. Instead of rest and nourishment, there is pressure to “bounce back” quickly, often at the expense of mental and physical well-being.

Why We Need to Reclaim Postpartum Care

The loss of traditional postpartum support has left many new parents feeling isolated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. We were never meant to navigate this period alone. Reclaiming postpartum care doesn’t mean recreating ancient traditions exactly, but rather, learning from them to build better systems of care today.

This could look like:

•  Creating community postpartum support groups
• Investing in postnatal doulas and culturally inclusive care
• Encouraging extended rest and nourishment
• Recognizing that postpartum recovery takes months, not just weeks

Bringing back the “village” isn’t just about tradition—it’s about protecting the health and well-being of parents and babies alike. Because when we care for new parents, we create stronger families, healthier communities, and a culture that values the deep transformation of birth and early parenthood.