Postpartum Care Program - Support for Indigenous Families
After birth, mums and families need community support, with nutrient dense food, emotional & cultural support, and rest for healing.
This sacred time has always been tended to with care from community & country - and the way a mother is supported during this time is crucial for the ongoing health of the mother-baby, family and whole community.
6 week postpartum care program
The Postpartum Care Program supports Indigenous mums and families on Bundjalung Country with weekly meal drops, for the immediate 6 weeks after birth so that families can rest and recover together, while easing the pressure off meal time. The meal packages are delivered to families homes, containing meals which are nutrient dense, ancestral and nutritionally appropriate for the immediate postpartum period. Our meals are created using fresh and local ingredients, infused with bushfoods, organic where possible, and are prepared by women in the community.
We also assist families in accessing donated goods for mum and bub for those in need, through partnering community run charities.
The Postpartum Care Program is currently servicing families on Bundjalung Country from Tweed heads, south to Ballina, and west to Casino. To contact us to join the Postpartum Care Program for meal support, please fill out the below contact form.
Why pOSTPARTUM MATTERS?
High fat, nutrient dense diets help optimise breast milk production and nutritional composition, assisting babies growth and development.
Postpartum appropriate foods increase a mother’s ability to heal after birth, replenishing vital nutrients and essential fatty acids, revitalising her blood and assist healing after c-sections.
The first 2000 days (0-5yrs) of a baby’s life are integral to building a foundation of lifetime health and wellbeing. Studies show that optimal nutrition during this time can reduce the risk of adulthood diabetes and heart disease.
By providing freshly cooked and nourishing meals, along with baby and mother donated goods, and in-person support, we can reduce the economic and social stress of this time for mums and their families, reducing the risk of maternal mental health disorders, poor nourishment of mother and baby, and social isolation.
volunteer with us
Our Postpartum Program relies on community volunteers to assist us with cooking and deliveries to help meet families needs. We have two volunteer positions available:
Cooking: helping to cook postpartum food with a small group of women/ mothers/ carers, we do this fortnightly on Tuesdays in Mullumbimby 9.30am-1.30pm
Deliveries: Dropping meals to a mum in the area local to you
IF YOU’D LIKE TO JOIN US, PLEASE REGISTER HERE
To get in touch with us, please email kirilly@thereturning.com.au
