AFTER BIRTH
Postnatal retreats are trending for self-care and baby bonding
PICTURE this: Mom swaddling a crying newborn while Dad frantically takes notes from the home nurse you panic-hired, who lectures you on the proper protocol for applying ointment to newborns. Already breaking out in a cold sweat? It doesn’t have to be that way.
While boutique postnatal centers are commonplace in many Asian countries, they are few and far between stateside. It appears the tide may be turning with a growing number of postnatal retreats popping up, where new moms can recover from childbirth, connect with their newborn and even enjoy some spa services.
These sanctuaries allow new moms (and dads) to find their bliss with baby.
Boram Postnatal Retreat
Proponents of the importance of maternal wellness have long supported postnatal centers to cater to new moms, and this is the first such gathering place for New Yorkers, held at the Thompson Central Park in Manhattan.
Launched in May 2022, Boram provides round-the-clock care to new families who are from zero to six weeks postpartum. On-site, expect a team of nurses, lactation consultants, postpartum doulas and more to guide you through topics such as breastfeeding, formula feeding, swaddling, bathing and establishing infant routines (ding ding ding). You’ll also have access to a 24/7 nursery overseen by trained team members, complete with a camera on each baby for when you need some me-time.
The lounge provides a place to connect with other new parents, nosh on nutritious snacks and beverages and partake in daily workshops on topics like newborn safety and CPR and baby wearing (you know, those slings).
Moms get three tasty and nutrient-dense meals a day geared toward healing and recovery. Enjoy those when you’re not, say, lounging in a sitz bath to aid with your perineal recovery, enjoying a foot bath to help reduce swelling or
being pampered with a postnatal massage that, yes, your husband should buy for you.
From $950 per night, three night minimum. Some months have a waitlist, so booking is recommended four months ahead of your due date.
Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat
Launched in October at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, Fourth Trimester was founded by Megan Francis, a mom and nurse practitioner who wanted to provide a “soft landing” for new families, inclusive of surrogacy and adoption.
From the moment you arrive, you can enjoy this iconic hotel’s luxury amenities as well as 24/7 as-you-want-it baby care and oneon-one consultations with mental health therapists, doulas, breastfeeding specialists, nurse practitioners and more to support you through this new chapter.
Speaking of luxe amenities, when hunger strikes, you can nosh on healthy curated menus or fare from the hotel’s award-winning chefs at Kingbird. All this and more is rounded out by instructor-led courses covering meal prep, baby wearing and CPR.
From $815 per night, three night minimum.
Sanu Postpartum Retreat
“Our signature postnatal retreat is anchored by the belief that a strong foundation for parenthood begins with judgment-free, mother-centered care, because a supported mother has whole-family benefits,” said founder and CEO Julia Kim, who is also a mother of two, in a company press release. And indeed it does.
Welcoming new parents at the Watermark Hotel in Tysons, Va., since January, this physician-developed haven is big on personalized, bespoke service. Of course, there’s a 24/7 nursery staffed by medically accredited caregivers, but you’ll also find your room stocked with premium baby care products, high-tech night lights and baby monitors.
Services available to new mamas include all the expected offerings alongside IV hydration therapy, acupuncture, a scalp massage with rosemary oil and postnatal massages.
From $995 per night, five night minimum.
Ahma & Co
New as of March 15 at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif., this features round-the-clock postnatal care from doulas, newborn care specialists, lactation educators and therapists.
The standout, though, is belly binding care from Bellibind founder Princess McKinney-Kirk. The Malaysian practice of belly binding helps the body heal and encourage muscles and organs to move back to their original positioning.
“I’m thrilled to bring the ancient practice of traditional Bengkung belly binding to the Ahma & Co postnatal suites,” said McKinneyKirk. “It’s like giving your core muscles a gentle hug during those first few weeks postpartum.”
From $1,650 per night, three night minimum.
Alma Care
Another newcomer, this January debut at the Kimpton Saint George in Toronto, Canada, bills itself as our northern neighbor’s first postnatal retreat.
Alma Care co-founder and CEO Hana McConville comes from an East Asian background and partook in the Chinese tradition of zuo yue ze, or “sitting the month” with both of her newborns, inspiring her to bring postpartum care to Canada.
Developed in partnership with a team of medical and wellness professionals and drawing from ancient traditions, the program centers around four pillars: learn; rest; recover and enjoy.
From $1,000 per night, three night minimum.
The Village Postnatal Retreat Center
Unveiled in July, this San Francisco haven for new parents was founded by Jennifer Darwin, a former labor and delivery nurse turned doula.
On top of the standard trappings (a 24/7 staffed nursery, inroom meal delivery thrice daily and lactation consultants) you can also utilize the services of massage therapists, pelvic floor physical therapists and midwives.
Need more convincing this is worth the splurge? “For those who pump, you simply text the team and they deliver clean parts to your room. You text them when you’re done, and they store your milk and take care of everything for you,” read one testimonial.
From $890 per night, three night minimum.