After the Baby's Birth: A Complete Guide for Postpartum Women

by Robin Lim, Marcia Barnett-Lopez (Illustrator), Jan Francisco (Photographer)

The first few weeks and months after a baby'¬?s birth can be a wonderful and confusing time. While trying to discover the best ways to care for her child, new (and experienced) mothers often neglect their own health. It is essential, however, that mothers pay as much attention to their own wellness as they pay to their baby'¬?s health and happiness during this crucial time. In a completely revised and updated edition of AFTER THE BABY'¬?S BIRTH, childcare and women'¬?s-wellness expert Robin Lim guides mothers through the best methods of mother and baby postpartum care, including parental nurturing, breastfeeding, the role of the father, nutrition, and early sensory education. Focusing on natural and wholesome practices, AFTER THE BABY'¬?S BIRTH is a sensitive, practical guide to post-pregnancy health.‚Ä¢ Includes touching personal stories based on real-life experiences of mothers.‚Ä¢ Features a collection of delicious recipes formulated especially for postpartum women, plus a special chapter dedicated to the ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine.‚Ä¢ Original edition sold 30,000 copies.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Health

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Robin Lim is a Filipina, American, Micronesian midwife and grandmother. She founded Yayasan Bumi Sehat (Healthy Mother Earth Foundation) which provides free prenatal care, birthing services, breastfeeding support, medical aid, disaster relief, educational opportunities, and environmental initiatives. Ibu (mother) Robin and team Bumi Sehat have been in Indonesia since 1993 and in the Philippine Islands (where she is known as “Lola” ~ grandmother) since 2014 to heal the high maternal and infant mortality sorrows. In 2011 Lim was awarded the CNN Hero of the Year. Ibu Robin is the author of many books published in the USA, Indonesia, the Philippines, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Russia. As the mother of eight and grandmother of six, Ibu Robin is a fierce advocate for human rights in reproductive health, environmental security, food sovereignty and Peace on Earth.

Reviews

[Gergő Tóth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nyilván nem én vagyok a célközönség, de az írónő pozitív és melegszívű gondolatai nagyon hasznos útravalóul szolgálnak bármelyik szülőnek vagy épp annak, aki csak készül az anyaságra.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Robin personally and was lucky to deliver my baby with her. She is professional as a specialist and very caring as a woman. I think all Robin knows she covered in her book. It’s like en encyclopedia of pregnancy, delivery and newborn baby and more. You don’t have to read it in a raw, instead you can find needed paragraph and read the topic that concerns you at a moment. It is very convenient and helpful book to have for pregnant women and mothers with newborn babies.

[Becky Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book. lim writes in such a comforting, supportive way. i love the recipes/food suggestions for postpartum recovery. i love the references to the postpartum period being such a time of need for loving care in order to achieve spiritual and emotional growth as well as physical rejuvenation.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every mother needs a good Postpartum book to read. This book is thorough in explaining what your body is going through physically, emotionally and spiritually. We prepare so much for the Event of Birth, we forget about preparation for the AFTER part. This book helped me uber amounts!

[Angela Usas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really does cover all topics and it was perfect to read while nuzzled up to my newborn in his first week of life.

[Debóra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even read the whole book as it was so disappointing, and I am sorry to say that I even find this damaging to expecting and new moms. On one hand, several of the statements and recommendations are clearly outdated by science - in some cases by years or even decades. In my version of the book, it was even commented on the pages by the editor numerous times that the text is either misleading or completely false from a medical point of view.

On the other hand, I personally found that the book describes a setup and atmosphere that is too idyllic and unachievable for most moms - at least in the Western world. Lovely to read that in tribal and developing countries new mums cannot even step in the kitchen for weeks after birth and there are dedicated festivities to celebrate and pamper them, while they are able to rest and only focus on the baby, but compared to that the harsh reality of everyday life here in Europe seems even worse.

I highly recommend that in case you would like to read such a book that is so spiritual and focuses on customs instead of medical facts, that you also support your knowledge with rational and updated information (such as the Emily Oster books).

[Agnes Kelemen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kulturális antropológiai szempontból nagyon érdekes, különböző kultúrák gyermekágyhoz kötődő szokásai is kiderülnek és végre megértettem, hogy miért kell az amerikaiakba annyira sulykolni, hogy a szoptatás jó dolog. :) (A könyv szerint a puritán protestáns etika negatívan állt hozzá, mint túl ösztönös és testi dologhoz.) Az is nagyon tetszett, hogy mindenféle szcenárióra kitér, az egyedül gyermeket vállalók gyermekágyára, a koraszülőkére, a babát örökbe adókéra és arra is, aki elveszítette a babáját. Mindamellett áthatja a könyvet egy spiri szellemiség, ami nekem kicsit az agyamra megy.

[Julie Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never had children, as much as I would have liked to, but I've always enjoyed reading about women's health. This book focuses on postpartum health, from mental health to spiritual and physical health. There are exercises to help tone the body after birth, recipes and suggestions for nutrition, sections on herbs and a good deal on nurturing and caring for yourself after the birth. Overall, it was a good read.

[Eszter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Especially the wide perspective it gives on all the different types of ways one could experience early motherhood depending on their culture. Really makes you think.

[Margit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tele volt dolgokkal, amit nem éreztem relevánsnak, de nagyon hasznos volt posztpartum regeneráció és gyermekágyas logisztika kapcsán.

[Largercircle]

I have a very clear memory of my first "postpartum visit". I was only 3 1/2 (my mother was visiting this weekend and I asked her to help me date this memory). We went to visit a friend of my mother's who had just had a baby. I remember that we had to be quiet because she was resting. My mother explained to me that she needed lots of rest so she could make milk for her baby (who was very new.) It's amazing to me that I remember this occasion so clearly - I do have other clear memories from about that age, but most of my distinct memories date from when I was 5 or older.

Anyway, I think this is the first book I've ever read specifically about the postpartum period. But it's a topic I feel I know a lot about by osmosis and experience. And from that experience, this book seemed incredibly naive to me. Here's a quote: "What to you may seem like a giant problem actually may be a tiny obstacle." (Referring to breastfeeding.) Sure, that's possible. It's also possible that it really is a giant problem, or that it will continue being a giant problem until you gain some real knowledge, skills, and experience.

Oddly, the section I liked most is the part at the end about difficult postpartums: after miscarriage, after abortion, after placing a child for adoption, with a baby who dies or has significant health issues. Somehow the naivete there seems light and real, whereas in much of the rest of the book, it just reads as denial to me.

I do like the very complete and clear instructions for postpartum exercises including gentle, yogic and other energetic style moving meditations. And I learned a new term: milk fever (see http://www.growingwell.com/motherscor....) Apparently, what Ms. Lim means by this is not what most people mean by this (mastitis in humans, calcium deficiency in cows/sheep/etc). But an interesting obscure fact!

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, informative book. I have read lots and lots of books about pregnancy and childbirth, but the postpartum period is always relegated to a short chapter dealing mainly with physical aspects. I love that Robin Lim shows how standard American maternity care abandons women in this raw, sensitive time period. Women here are given one appointment at six weeks post partum and expected to be fully recovered emotionally and physically from birth, as well as no cultural traditions or rite of passage to help with the transition to motherhood. For first time mothers especially, this transition can be challenging with so little support. This book gives aboslute reverance for this important time in a woman's life and encourages mothers and caregivers to also give it the appropriate respect it deserves rather than setting up unrealistic expectations for when life will be back to "normal". My favorite quote from the book is that you are pregnant for nine months, but you are postpartum the rest of your life.

My only "complaint" about the book is that it's geared to a fairly specific audience. Lim is an ultra-crunchy midwife and I can see more mainstream folks being put off at how strongly she advocates for the more out there practices like lotus birth and her major disdain for any hormonal birth control. But, if you can let go of that, taking what you need and leaving the rest, there is a wealth of information and inspiration between these two covers.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few small complaints here and there on her suggestions (it's not all about kegels, actually, it's more about squats!) but overall it was a beautiful read. Not dry at all. Really comforting and warm. Perfect to read while nursing your baby!

I think the best part is that she speaks about the cultural practices around the world. You get a really great sense of how neglected American mothers are and the kinds of small things that can help create community. You can see how birth and the postpartum period can be so important in shaping children's lives all the way through adulthood. Support is crucial to good parenting and for the mothers soul.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for mothers who are navigating through postpartum and adjusting to her new life with a child. The author is concise in guiding mothers through her new "normal" and is respectful to a mother's heritage, culture and background. This is a highly recommended book for pregnant mothers early on so they can prepare after when the baby comes home.

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes, and good reading while pregnant. The title says 'after the baby's birth,' but it is good book for before and after.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well paced thought out book, especially after all the books I'm required to read to become a Doula. The book actually covers material I haven't seen anywhere else.

[Dharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in 1996 when I began my doula adventure. It totally resonated with me, it will be interesting to see if I still feel the same way.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best post-partum book I've ever read. The recipes are wonderful, great writing - I love this book.