This is part 2 of a series of posts on postpartum nutrition. To read Rebecca Jaspan’s article on a Registered Dietician’s perspective, please follow this link.

There is a long tradition of postpartum care including nutrition in East Asian Medicine (EAM). It views pregnancy as a time when the body is in a state of abundance- qi (energy), blood, fluid and warmth should be at their peak. When the baby is delivered, there is a sudden loss of these substances and the new mom is much more vulnerable to cold and depletion.

In EAM,  the focus is on replenishing in order to prevent any unnecessary depletion, thus promoting good health and longevity for the new mom. We focus both on specific foods as well as methods of preparation that nourish blood, fluids, qi, and warm the body. While the exact traditional methods and foods are not always possible to follow, we can take the general themes and wisdom from East Asian culture and apply them in a different setting, all in a way that feels nourishing, comforting and familiar. Keep reading for the most important ideas. Read more

This is part one of a series of posts on how new moms can look at postpartum nutrition. Special thanks to Registered Dietician Rebecca Jaspan for sharing her knowledge and expertise! To learn about the East Asian Medicine Perspective, you can check out my article here.

A Guest Post by Rebecca Jaspan, MPH, RD, CEDS, CDCES

Most people know the importance of nutrition during pregnancy.  You are growing an entire human after all.  But did you know that your nutrient needs are even higher in early postpartum?  You’ve just completed an amazing feat of growing and birthing your baby, but whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, your body has more work to do.  While feeding your baby is a central focus in the early postpartum weeks and months, nourishing your own healing body is just as important. Read more