Life After Birth: A Book Every New Parent Needs to Read

The co-authors Jessica and Vaughne also co-own Mama Goodness, a business that started as a postpartum meal delivery service in Melbourne three years ago and has since grown to stock snacks, skincare and other wellness products for mums and their little ones. Both women have experience working as postpartum doulas and are passionate about nutrient-dense and nourishing food.

We were fortunate to chat with Jessica, who took the time to share the inspiration for the book that features our Marine Blue Linen on the cover.

As postpartum doulas, we have seen a wide and diverse spectrum of postpartum experiences - from those who have gone in completely blind to those who have done all the preparation under the sun and everything in between. No matter how prepared you are, there are still hurdles, but our hope with this book is that we can prepare people for what to expect so that it's not so much of a shock. Knowledge is power, and we want people to feel empowered during this time of immeasurable and immense change.

And then there's the societal expectation that we will slide back into our pre-pregnancy jeans and glide into a cafe with our baby sleeping in their pram. For most, that couldn't be further from reality. We want to say a big f*ck you to bounce-back culture and shift the narrative about how society should care for mothers.

"We see so many mums coming home with their babies, bewildered and confused by all the conflicting information they have been given in the hospital. Lactation consultants are experts in their field - they are up to date with the most current breastfeeding information and are able to look at your situation holistically and give advice that works for you and not something they are regurgitating that they read in a textbook 30 years ago."

A: Eating nutrient-dense snacks and meals!!! The foundation of a nourishing, healing, anti-inflammatory diet in the early weeks of the postpartum should contain plenty of lean proteins, healthy fats, fibrous fruit and vegetables and complex carbohydrates to fuel your body and brain through the long days and nights, as well as improve the nutritional value of your breastmilk. We grow entire humans in our womb with a single drop of sperm, birth them, and feed them, and if we aren't looking after ourselves, we inevitably end up depleted. In our book, we encourage people to fill their freezers while they are pregnant, have someone set up a meal train, or both. 

Before you have a baby, it can be difficult to imagine how time-consuming our tiny humans can be - especially when they sleep so much. But in those first few weeks, babies often want to be as close to you as possible, so they can hear the familiar sounds of their first home, smell you, and feel your warmth.

There is also so much change - both for the birthing parent and the non-birthing parent. Having someone to hold space for you while you unravel is so important, and we highly encourage this, not just to be your partner. We are also huge believers in the importance of community, and we encourage all new parents to reach outside of their four walls and forge friendships over the shared experience of motherhood.

A: I love the feeling of getting into bed when you've got clean linen sheets, clean PJs, a clean face and teeth, and it's been a hot day, but you've got a window open and a cool breeze coming through your room. That, accompanied by a good book, is the perfect recipe for good sleep.

Unfortunately, most of my nights don't look like this. Like many, I usually either fall asleep scrolling and writing lists or fall asleep putting my children to sleep and transporting myself to bed in a zombie-like fashion when my husband rouses me. I have big stacks of neglected books on my bookshelf and bedside table, and one of my goals for 2023 was to get heavily back into reading - previously one of my greatest obsessions and joys - after books took a backseat to my phone for the last 10-or-so years. So far, I'm not doing the best at that, so let's see if stating it here gives me some accountability.

Method:

1. Combine the spices in a small bowl.

2. Warm 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat.

3. Add the onion and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is starting to brown, then add the garlic and salt and cook for a minute before adding the drained daal, then fry for another minute.

4. Add the sweet potato and 1 litre (34 fl oz/4 cups) water, stir, cover and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every so often.

5. Add an additional cup of water at the end of cooking time, if necessary, to achieve your desired consistency.

6. Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan. Add the curry leaves and spices and cook for about a minute, stirring frequently, until leaves are fragrant and crispy, and the spices are starting to pop.

7. Pour the spice mix over the daal and stir to combine.

8. Ladle the daal into bowls and serve with basmati rice or Indian flatbread. Top with yoghurt and a spoonful of Indian chutney, if using.

9. Any leftovers will keep well in the fridge for a couple of days and it freezes beautifully. You may need to add water when reheating as it will thicken significantly when it cools.

Tip: You can soak uncooked basmati rice with the mung daal and add in at the same time, along with an extra teaspoon of salt and an extra litre of water. Voila, you've made kitchari, a warming Ayurvedic dish that is a popular postpartum meal.