The Slow Postpartum movement is here, and it’s about dang time

Many cultures have a beautiful tradition of rest and nourishment after childbirth, but here in North America, there’s a culture of hustle that leaves many mothers feeling rushed through their postpartum weeks.

This approach is not what’s best for moms or babies: A slow, restful postpartum period helps mothers to fully heal and bond with their babies.

Now a truly necessary new movement is trying to normalize taking this time to rest. 

The Slow Postpartum movement is dedicated to promoting “a new paradigm” of slowing down and living more mindfully in the first few weeks with a new baby. 

The creator of Slow Postpartum, Jojo Hogan, explains in a viral Facebook post why this approach is so utterly essential:

What can we do, indeed? Maternity leave would be a major starting point. 

But a much deeper cultural shift is also needed. Our approach to the postpartum period needs to be totally re-framed to honor and respect our bodies’ need for rest instead of viewing it as a nuisance to be brushed aside.

Of course, the responsibility for this shift cannot rest on the new mother's shoulders. We all have our part to play.

Slow Postpartum calls for the community—husband, friends, grandparents, aunties—coming together to really help a new mother and her baby. If you know anyone who’s had a new baby, you can be part of supporting them and helping create this positive and life-giving culture. 

Taking time to recover peacefully strengthens women both in body and spirit, and helps them to be the best mothers they can be. 

So here’s hoping the Slow Postpartum movement really catches on. It would benefit so many mothers and babies, and through them, our whole world.