After the Baby Comes: What Your Body and Spirit May Need Most
Simple, seasonal ways to restore body, mind, and spirit
By Lynda Sherland, CRNP, FNP-C, IFMCP
Are you welcoming a new baby this summer?
The summer, a time of natural abundance and vibrant energy, offers a supportive context for postpartum recovery. This significant period of adjustment for new parents, involving profound physical and emotional shifts, can be gently navigated by aligning with the season's inherent vitality through a functional medicine approach.
A new baby brings laughter, lots of physical time together, and parents often comment on the sounds from their new baby – quieter noises and some not so quiet ones. It is not uncommon to have sleepless nights, a demanding feeding schedule, and moments of overwhelm—making it easy for new parents to lose sight of their own well-being.
There is unmatched power in the female body and once the baby arrives, the body enters a phase of profound healing. This phase demands just as much nourishment, rest, and support as pregnancy.
Many don’t realize how much happens postpartum – it's easier to remember that hormones fluctuate and sleep can become more fragmented, but many don’t realize that nutritional needs rise sharply. It’s also a time of major identity shifts—not just for mothers, but for both parents and for the entire family.
New parents face unique challenges. Community support isn’t always a given. Women who’ve invested deeply in careers may suddenly find themselves isolated in early parenthood—in need of connection and support. And a mother’s partner may not go through the same physical or hormonal changes, their emotional journey is just as real.
The postpartum phase is a critical period requiring holistic attention and nourishments to a mother's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. And we don’t want to leave partners and other family members out either! The natural energies of the summer solstice can offer subtle yet meaningful support for restoration - for everyone.
This significant period of adjustment can be gently navigated by aligning with nature’s rhythms—particularly the vitality and warmth of summer. The energy of the season, marked by lots of extra light, reminds us what new families need most: nourishment and connection. At Philadelphia Integrative Medicine, we’re here to help: you don’t have to do this alone. You deserve to feel nurtured, through this transformational chapter. You deserve care that honors your whole being—body, mind and spirit.
Let the Season Hold You
Regardless of the season you’re in, nature can offer gentle guidance. If you happen to be navigating this chapter during the warmer months, the energy of summer brings a special kind of support: light, vitality, and connection. It invites us to slow down, soak in light, and reconnect to what matters most. Even if you didn’t give birth in summer, you can still draw from its qualities to support your healing.
In her book Natural Health After Birth, Dr. Aviva Jill Romm beautifully captures the essence of this sacred window of healing. One chapter, titled Replenishing Yourself: Body, Mind, and Spirit, is especially powerful—a gentle reminder that postpartum recovery isn’t just a medical phase; it’s a profound, whole-person experience. If you're navigating this tender time, I highly recommend her book as a compassionate companion on your journey.
How Summer Reflects What New Parents Need
Abundance: A reflection of the nourishment you provide while caring for yourself and your baby.
Vitality: Longer days naturally encourage gentle movement and connection with the outdoors, both contributing to overall well-being.
Connection: A natural time to celebrate new life and deepen family bonds.
Whether you’re in the glow of summer or the stillness of winter, these qualities can be consciously nurtured through simple, grounding rituals.
Everyday Practices to Restore and Replenish
Healing comes from and gives us a sense of presence, softness, and a few steady habits that tend to body and spirit can really make a difference:
Gentle Sunlight: Mindful exposure to sunlight helps support Vitamin D levels and regulate the body's natural rhythms.
Nature Connection: Get outside. Sit on a blanket. Walk slowly. Breathe. Lie down and let the earth hold you. Spending time in natural environments can offer a sense of calm. Outings (keep it simple at first so it goes well and you learn the new routine!) with the baby – or quiet moments outdoors - can be deeply restorative.
Hydration: Drink water, especially in warmer weather, is crucial for breast milk production and overall health. Keep water close by - within arm’s reach- all day.
Simple Mindfulness: Incorporating brief moments of mindful breathing or quiet reflection can help navigate the intensity of new (or continued / expanded) parenthood. Close your eyes. Inhale slowly. Exhale fully. Even 30 seconds of breathing can make a huge difference.
Honoring Rest: Sleep may be different, and get as much rest as you can. Take naps when your baby does. Lie down. Recognize the vital need for sleep and rest, even in shorter increments.
Accepting Support: accept help!
Gentle Movement: When it feels right, stretch, sway, or walk. Movement can feel great right now.
Emotional Regulation: All your feelings are valid. From joy to grief to confusion—enjoy being human right now. Ask for and receive emotional support - let someone know you want to talk.
Sip a Soothing Tea: Herbal blends like lavender, chamomile, or tulsi offer some calm in a cup.
What’s important?
You’ve just welcomed a new family member—and your entire world has shifted. Please be gentle with yourself.
This postpartum season is sacred. It may feel never-ending some days, but it will pass faster than you think, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.
We can’t give from an empty cup, so nourish yourself. Eat. Hydrate. Sleep when you can. Say yes to help and any community support that is offered and that feels right!
I hope that you find these principles and tips nourishing. We can’t give away what we don’t have. Your entire world has changed! Cherish this precious time.
We Would Like to Support You
You deserve to be cared for as deeply as you care for your baby. At Philadelphia Integrative Medicine, we understand how transformative—and tender—the postpartum season can be. Healing deserves intention—and you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you're seeking physical healing, emotional support, or whole-person care, our team is here to walk beside you:
Amy and Lynda, our Advanced Practice Integrative Nurse Practitioners, offer compassionate, personalized medical care that supports your healing from the inside out. We also offer discounted appointment packages to help you stay supported over time.
View our pricing ›
Dr. Jennifer Patterson, our Osteopathic and Functional Medicine Physician, provides gentle, whole-body osteopathic care for mothers and babies—supporting alignment, nervous system balance, and deep integrative healing. All patients – including your baby -- are candidates for osteopathic care. We highly recommend an osteopathic new patient appt to all postpartum moms. Dr. Patterson has both osteopathic and Functional/Integrative appointments.
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a free consultation with Amy, Lynda, or Dr. Patterson. We want to hear from you.