November Book Club: The First 40 Days

Our book clubs are becomming some of our favorite ways to interact and pour into our community. Who wouldn't want to sit around, snuggling babies, snacking, and discussing books that have real relavence for our seasons of life??

If you've ever wanted to do a deep dive into postpartum care, healing, and nourishment, this week's book club is for you!

The First 40 Days, by Heng Ou, is all about the "essential art of nourishing the new mother".

While full of information, it's not an overly complicated read, with ideas and suggestions presented in a reader friendly way.

"Asking for help can be hard at first, but reaching out when you are in need is a muscle that gets stronger with use. When you ask for help, you are saying you can't do it alone. But you're not supposed to do it alone-and people want to help." -Heng Ou

Ms. Ou gives a basic outline of how postpartum could be if we prioritized it like we should. Prepped food, recruited friends and family, and truly leaned into those first forty days as special time, set aside for you and baby to bond and rest. Mothering is natural-but it doesn't come naturally. There are so many little things you both need to learn about one another, and having the time and space to do that is such a benefit to you long term. The author also outlines some of the mental ups and downs that can come during this time, and how many of the transitions we feel are normal.

AND THE RECIPES. Oh, friends...the recipes. The author gives a variety of delightful treats and meals and drinks, all geared specifically towards postpartum healing and, if breastfeeding, healthy milk production (the IBCLC in me is delighted). We have especially loved the ideas for a "mother's bowl", where Ou gives a basic ingredients to keep on hand so you have several variations of an EASY, filling, and nourishing meal...that you can eat while sitting on the couch, propping up a bottle with one hand, or helping a newborn.

And while there are many variations of this smoothie, this simple smoothie was a big hit with our postpartum clients:

"PB & J SMOOTHIE(serves 3)

*Using frozen banana might feel good if you havea summertime baby snuggled on hot skin.*

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons (75 g) peanut butter1 fresh or frozen banana

1 cup (150 g) fresh or frozen berries or 1⁄4 cup (60 g) all-natural fruit jam (no artificial sweeteners, just fruit)

1 tablespoon flaxseed meal (optional)

2 cups (480 ml) full fat milk, light coconut milk or nut milk of your choice

1 tablespoon honey

Directions: Blend everything in a blender until smooth."

We will meet this Monday, November 11 at 12:00, and it usually runs for an hour (or more, if everyone is enjoying themselves).

Our Richmond Birth and Baby office is located at 1900 Skipwith Rd, Henrico, 23229. There is plenty of space for newborns and babies up to one year. This is a FREE book club however, it really helps us if you register HERE, just so we know how much food to prepare. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you all this week!