Postpartum Nutrition and Your First Poo: Let's Talk About It

Yup, we're going there and talking about it because it matters. That first poo after birth can be one of the most nerve-wracking moments in postpartum recovery, especially if you have experienced tearing or stitches. I swear I was SO SCARED for my first poo - both times.

If you're anything like me, you probably never gave much thought to what that first postpartum poo would be like. I was absolutely terrified. Honestly thought it might feel like pushing out another baby. Turns out, just like expecting the worst, it wasn't half as bad as I imagined, and what a bloody relief that was.

Why Your Body Needs Gentle Nourishment

Your body has just done something incredible. Now it is time to gently nourish it with foods that are easy to digest, support healing, and are kind to your gut. During pregnancy, your organs, including your intestines and stomach, were compressed to make room for your growing baby. As your body recovers, everything inside you is shifting, settling and finding its place again.

Your organs have been squished, stretched and moved about for months, and they need warmth, nourishment and a bit of tender care to recover. It is important to eat foods that are easy to digest, allowing your organs to settle back into place and conserving energy for healing rather than focusing heavily on digestion.

The Right Foods for Recovery

Postpartum nutrition isn't a luxury, it's a necessity and that rubbish they serve you at the hospitals isn't conducive to your healing. Think warming, slow-cooked meals, soft fruits, and fibre-rich options that help things move along more comfortably.

Warm, slow-cooked meals with healing herbs like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom are ideal. Bone broth, gentle spices, coconut milk, slow-cooked goodness. It feeds the body, supports digestion, soothes the gut and yes, it seriously helps with that first poo. These foods also support breastfeeding by enabling your body to prioritise milk production.

Many new mothers may feel anxious about their first bowel movement, especially if they have experienced tearing or had an episiotomy. To ease this process, consume soft, easily digestible foods that are rich in fiber. Including prunes in your diet can help soften stools and make this experience less uncomfortable.

Nourishing Meal Ideas

Here are some meal ideas to support your recovery:

Hearty vegetable stew, slow-cooked meat stew, stewed apples or pears, oat and almond porridge with prunes, lentil dahl, and mixed berry and chia pudding are all perfect options. These are the kinds of foods that feel like a hug in a bowl and give your body exactly what it needs during this recovery phase.

I've put together a couple of recipes perfect for this season that you'll find below. A slow cooked beef and coconut stew, and a nostalgic rice pudding that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Nurturing your postpartum body is essential in these early days. Remember, your body has just done something incredible and deserves gentle, nourishing care as it heals and recovers. Don't be afraid to ask for help with meal preparation, and trust that this phase will pass.