the herborium

Can’t believe it’s been a week already. Baby herb 2 arrived exactly on his due date at 40 weeks! It not easy but I have so much more energy this time round, and I truly believe that’s due to both my preparation for labour, birth and postpartum.

My contractions started at 5:30am and by 6:30am I felt his head pushing down. I thought I was going to have a home birth. We rushed to the hospital to ED. They pushed me in a wheelchair towards the birthing suite. His head was already out in the corridor. And as I was wheeled into the birthing suite, the midwives rushed to me and just caught him as he came out at 6:50am.

I didn’t have any tears which made my recovery a lot quicker than my first.

Don’t be disheartened if you couldn’t express colostrum during pregnancy, it doesn’t mean you won’t have milk. Although trying to collect it during late stages of pregnancy can help with inducing labour through ni**le stimulation.

Here are the things that have helped me tremendously in the first week of recovery with a toddler and newborn and build my milk supply.

I know this account focuses a lot on the importance of preparing for postpartum. But my preparation for labour was also what helped me recover so quickly. And a lot of it was a mental game, with my husband as my biggest support to get through labour.

I had the unmedicated birth I always wanted without eating 6 dates a day, doing curb walking or eating spicy foods.

I did move my body throughout pregnancy, had good awareness of my body and pelvic floor and reminded myself of what my body was capable of and being able to breathe through those contractions. If your jaw tightens, your pelvis tightens too.

My husband has also been so helpful to step up to chores and grocery runs, as well as going on dates with my first born to keep her entertained.

Detoxing Sheng Hua Tonic is a must have to start the healing process. A TCM classic. This is a herborium modified formula to help with removing unwanted substances from the uterus as well as help slow down bleeding. Suitable for natural and c-section births.

Lots of wet food. My milk had fully come in by day 3 and baby herb 2 was back to birth weight by day 5.

The first four d

Baby herb #2 is coming anytime now!
Place your orders and stock up on your herbal soups and staples by Saturday 26th September 11:59pm to make our last dispatch of the year by Monday 28th September.

Much love,
Wen Wen

Those postpartum baby hairs! IYKYK.

Postpartum hair loss can feel so overwhelming, especially when you’re already navigating all the physical and emotional changes that come with having a baby. But know that in most cases, it is temporary.
Normal postpartum shedding usually improves as the hair cycle resets and those little baby hairs start making their appearance (annoying at first but it is a positive sign!).

Postpartum is the season to focus on restoring and replenishing Qi, Blood, Yin and Jing. Nourishing these will nourish the body growing your new hair.

To support rebuilding Blood & Jing as part of your postpartum diet, try our Restore herbal soup blend and Digest adzuki porridge.

And if you’re pregnant and preparing for those early weeks, our 28 Day Postpartum Package was created to make restoring and replenishing the mother as simple as possible. Reach out to start curating your plan.

Your body has a way of showing you on the outside what might need more support on the inside and what is depleting your body. You can support healthier hair by nourishing your Blood, Yin and Jing through what you eat and how you live.

Make a hair-nourishing bowl with these tips and try our Digest porridge with adzuki beans and black glutinous rice, available on the website.

Before reaching for another supplement, ask yourself, am I doing the basics?

In TCM, we don’t always look at fertility, energy, digestion or sleep as completely separate things. Your body is interconnected.

Better digestion can support your energy. Nourishing your body supports the foundations of fertility. Morning sunlight can support your energy during the day and your sleep-wake rhythm at night.

Start with the foundations before adding more. I believe herbs work best alongside supportive lifestyle habits, rather than replacing them.

Read more on each of these habits on the blog.

This is for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing infertility or have concerns about your fertility, please consult your healthcare practitioner.

Holliea Fairleigh is a third-time mama, Ayurvedic & Fertility Practitioner, Shamanic Doula & Postnatal Doula, Womb & Menstruation Healer, and founder of Womb Healing Shakti Healing Massage.

Her third postpartum looked very different from her first two, but it taught her a lot about rest, nourishment and accepting help.

At The Herborium, our 28 Day Postpartum Package was created to make nourishment one less thing to think about. Daily herbal soups, teas and traditional recipes inspired by generations of postpartum care.

And if you’re thinking about having a third baby, or you’re currently carrying your third, know that it is possible to navigate postpartum with more than one child with the right planning, preparation and support.
It may not look like your first or second postpartum. Life might not stop. But you can still prioritise your recovery, accept help and make sure you’re nourished along the way.

If you’re pregnant, we hope Holliea’s story encourages you to prepare for your recovery with the same care you’re giving your birth plan.

Read Holliea’s full Motherhood Reflections interview via the link in our bio.

I’ve always believed in this philosophy for the mothers we care for and it’s going to be time for me to practice this again.
💕💕💕

Update will be provided in the coming days on orders. Any questions in the meantime, please sing out to me. xx

Kinda (or VERY) chic to me.

TCM wisdom is just next level greatness.

These are my guiding principles that I return to. I don’t always follow them perfectly, but they help me reconnect with what my body needs when I feel out of balance because it’s such a holistic system, connecting what we eat, our emotions, the mind, our lifestyle and the body.

Did any of these surprise you?

Hot take.
The best ginger isn’t always the ‘hottest’ one,
In TCM, how ginger is prepared can change the way it works on your body. Each have their own place. Swipe to see which one is best for postpartum recovery and everyday cooking.