Mother’s Day is a beautiful tradition — a moment to pause and honour the mothers in our lives, the role of motherhood, and the care that so often goes unseen. Motherhood, however, is not something that happens one day a year. It is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — often without pause. Somewhere in the midst of caring for everyone else, an important question can get lost: Who is looking after you?

Some women seem to move into motherhood with ease. Others find it more challenging. Some children are easygoing; others stretch us in ways we never expected. As a mother of two, I have come to see that each phase brings its own demands — physically, emotionally, and mentally. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Yet many women try to do it all alone. This is often where things begin to unravel.

As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I have been fortunate to have tools to support my own health along the way. Regular acupuncture, herbal medicine when needed, and nourishing food have helped me maintain the energy required to show up — both as a mother and as a businesswoman. When energy is low, everything feels harder. When energy is supported, life becomes more manageable — even when it is full.

The Early Days: A Time to Be Held

For new mums, the postpartum period can be one of the most vulnerable transitions in life. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, feeding around the clock, and adjusting to a completely new rhythm all occur while the body is still recovering from birth. A new dynamic within the relationship also begins to take shape during this time, which can bring its own challenges and adjustments. In Chinese medicine, this is seen as a time that requires deep rest and nourishment.

Traditionally in China, new mothers would remain at home for at least 30 days — and historically up to 100 days — supported by family and community so they could rest, recover, and rebuild their strength. Meals were prepared, daily tasks were taken care of, and the focus was on allowing the body to heal. While modern life does not always allow for this level of support, the principle behind it remains deeply relevant. It is not a time to “bounce back.”

Simple support can make a profound difference:

  • Prepare warming, nourishing meals ahead of time
  • Accept help from friends and family
  • Let go of how the house looks
  • Rest whenever possible

Recovery takes time. Honouring that time supports long-term health.

When Things Don’t Go to Plan

The early weeks with a new baby bring constant change — physically, emotionally, and in daily life. While many aspects of recovery follow a natural course, it can be helpful to have a sense of what the body is working toward in those first weeks.

For many women:

  • Breast fullness or engorgement settles within a few days
  • Bowels begin moving again within the first few days after birth
  • Emotional fluctuations, often called the “baby blues,” may arise around day three and pass within a short time
  • Afterpains ease within the first week
  • Physical healing continues steadily in the weeks that follow
  • Bleeding gradually reduces over a period of several weeks

This is the general pattern. However, recovery does not always unfold so smoothly. Ongoing fatigue, discomfort, breastfeeding challenges, emotional overwhelm, or symptoms that persist longer than expected are all signs that the body may need additional care. Chinese medicine can play a valuable role during this time — helping to regulate hormones, promote healing, support lactation, and restore energy when your body is giving so much. Seeking support early can make a meaningful difference, not only in how you feel physically, but in how you navigate this transition as a whole.

The wonderful thing about children is that they grow up one day at a time, which gives us a chance to work out how to care for them — one day at a time. There is a natural rhythm to this, much like the way the body restores itself when given the space and support to do so. Trusting that process can ease the pressure to have everything figured out all at once.

The Ongoing Journey of Motherhood

As children grow, the nature of motherhood changes — but the demands do not disappear. You may return to work. You may expand your family. You may find yourself juggling more than ever before. Self-care is often the first thing to fall away. This is exactly when it becomes most essential.

Once you begin to find your rhythm as a mother, you may start to consider growing your family again. Many women tell me that they conceived easily the first time, yet find it more difficult the next time around. A few years later, your body is naturally a little older and often more depleted. Giving your body time to fully recover can make a meaningful difference. From a Chinese medicine perspective, it can take up to two years for the body to rebuild and restore after pregnancy and birth. Spacing pregnancies with this in mind can support both your health and the health of your growing family. If things are not unfolding as hoped, Chinese medicine can help you rebuild energy, regulate cycles, and prepare your body for conception when the time feels right.

A Different Way to Think About Self-Care

Self-care does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. It does need to be intentional. Even 20 minutes a day to pause, breathe, and check in can begin to restore a sense of balance.

A few simple questions can guide you:

  • Have you spent any time in nature and had your daily dose of sunshine and fresh air recently?
  • Are you drinking enough water and eating nourishing meals?
  • Have you done any exercise of any description including dancing around the house when no one is looking?
  • Are you getting enough restful sleep?

These are not luxuries. They are foundations.

There is an old saying: “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day — unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.” The more life asks of you, the more important it becomes to replenish what you are giving out.

Supporting Yourself So You Can Support Others

So often, women come to see me already feeling depleted — giving everything to their families, their work, and everyone around them. Acupuncture offers a space to pause, reset, and restore. It supports sleep, digestion, energy, and emotional balance — the very things that allow you to keep showing up for the people you care about. The truth is simple: If you do not look after yourself, it becomes much harder to look after anyone else.

There are two books I often recommend that offer thoughtful and practical approaches to self-care:

Both offer simple yet powerful insights into caring for yourself alongside caring for others, and can be a helpful place to begin.

So what Mother’s Day resolution will you put in place to look after yourself now that you know how important it is to do so? What would it look like to truly support yourself — not just for a day, but as an ongoing practice? If your energy has been running low, your sleep is not where it should be, or you simply feel like you have been giving more than you are receiving, it may be time to reset.

Book an appointment and take the first step toward restoring your energy, your balance, and your sense of wellbeing.

Your feedback and questions are always welcome so please leave a comment below.

For further information on Chinese Medicine contact Tania Grasseschi (Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Qigong and Wholefood counselling). Tania is an AHPRA registered practitioner of Chinese Medicine located in Katoomba, NSW and has spent 6 years lecturing at the Endeavour College of Natural Health Sydney campus.

The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Remember that you are responsible for your own health and safety at all times.