What is a postpartum hotel? A postpartum hotel is a specialised facility that has been specifically designed to provide comprehensive care and support for new mothers and their babies. These places offer a full range of services to promote the physical and emotional well being of mothers while assisting them with a hands on approach during the newborn stage. These services can include but are not limited to: medical care, emotional support, recovery support, parenting education, community and network, and holistic wellness. Women who utilise these facilities are often nourished with meals and warm drinks designed nutritionally to support them through the postpartum healing period. There is often a nursery for the babies to spend some time with qualified midwives if mum needs a rest. There is sometimes a concierge service to help the new parents with their needs when looking to return home from their stay.
Sounds. Amazing.
Although the postpartum hotel is a fairly new concept in Aus, they have been around for a very long time. In countries like the US, China, South Korea, and some European nations, postpartum hotels and retreats are pretty common, reflecting both the availability of resources and cultural attitudes towards postpartum care. In Asia and the Middle East, traditional practices such as confinement periods for new mothers have contributed to the prevalence of postpartum care facilities that provide specialised support during this time.
In some very lucky countries, including France and Japan, there are government subsidies or reimbursement schemes to support postpartum care services, including stays at specialised facilities. These government efforts aim to promote access to high-quality postpartum care, particularly for economically disadvantaged individuals, and to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
What are we doing in Australia? (or should we need to all head to France or Japan?)
I believe that I heard U-Fhern, founder of Elan House of Wellness, talk on a podcast about how she was planning on opening a postpartum care facility right before covid and the ongoing lockdowns started. That period definitely pushed us back a few years in progress.
Good news. 2024 will see the opening of 2 postpartum hotels in Aus! The postpartum care industry is certain to continue to evolve and the success of these two facilities will help with growing the message louder of the positive outcomes for mother and baby when they have the right support and care in place from the beginning. I hope the government has its hearing aid turned UP.
A luxury postpartum wellness hotel nestled in the heart of Double Bay at the wonderful Intercontinental Hotel.
Borne bridge the gap between hospital and home, offering a luxurious and holistic retreat for mothers and their partners to recover, rejuvenate, and reconnect within the first 3 months of birth. Their dedicated space empowers mothers to heal and rediscover their strength, minimising postnatal challenges and fostering a harmonious beginning for every new family.
The packages that Borne have on offer are enough for me to almost want to have another baby (not quite enough).
Borne's Strong Foundation Program is a 4 night stay with 24/7 care, a monitored night nursery, nutritionist & naturopath designed menu (by a hotel chef, delightful), postpartum supplies, baby supplies, expert lactation and feeding support, mother's lounge - this includes daily workshops, and many other benefits that will last well beyond the 4 night stay.
They have other packages available as well as the flexibility of being able to design your own with their help.
The stay might seem expensive but the value of the stay is completely realised. The lasting benefits of having those 4 nights with this level of care and expert support available 24/7 could set you up for success in motherhood for years to follow.
Bookings are now open for June - book in a call to chat about availability.
Homb is a postpartum stay for mothers and their families to feel connected, supported and nurtured in the first year after birth. Homb's mission is to assist in the prevention of postnatal depression and anxiety while nurturing the Matrescence period. Their dedicated team of care specialists provide evidence-based care that focuses on the needs of the mother and nurturing the postpartum stage; this can range from breastfeeding support, general baby care, nutrition, body work, naturopathy and more.
At Homb, you can stay for between 4-30 days. They have 3 beautifully designed suites available with luxurious bathrooms, beautiful amenities, postpartum sanitary products, baby wipes and nappies, care specialists available 24/7, meals and snacks, education sessions, a massage, a nursery and a communal space.
Homb are open for bookings now.
As well as these amazing longer stay facilities, a few postpartum day stays are popping up. Unfortunately these only seem to be in Melbourne, if you are aware of other states having similar businesses please let me know! Melbourne are certainly the leaders in postpartum care for Australia, they have a passionate tribe of doulas there who are at the forefront of the revolution of wellness for new mothers we are in the midst of.
From Day One, Melbourne
From Day One is a beautiful purpose built drop in day space for parents of babies under 12 months with comfortable feeding and changing facilities, and a primary focus on parental well being and building community.
They provide Mother's Groups, Masterclasses by specialists and music classes. They also (geniusly) have a membership program available where you can sign up for 3, 6 or 12 months which enables you to access the community, use the facilities, mother's group placement, guest passes, unlimited masterclasses at special member's prices.
Juno Specialists, Melbourne
Juno bridge the gaps that exist within the current models of maternal, infant and women's healthcare. They believe in bringing together the best of modern medicine, progressive forward thinking, evidence based practices and reclaimed old and sacred ways.
Juno offer 1:1 appointments for Mother/Baby GP, Women's Health GP, Breastfeeding Medicine Doctor, Paediatrician, OB / Gynaecologist, Lactation Consultant / Midwife, Acupuncture / Chinese Medicine, Dietician, Speech Pathologist, Pelvic Floor / Continence physiotherapist, Naturopath, Mental Health Professionals, Doula Support.
Juno also offers a Day Stay, which after a very rocky breastfeeding journey in the early days with my first born, sounds absolutely incredible. The stay includes a lot, but it's 7 hours of support including expert help, a motherhood helper so you can have a rest, a sensory / play time for the baby, follow up support, meals - bliss.
All of these postpartum services, hotels and retreats should be available for all people when they have a baby. It is truly my hope that in the future, we can build this ground swell to create this nurtured support for our children, their children and beyond. A well cared for mother and baby in those early days has long lasting effects on the community around them.
A thriving mother, a thriving family, a thriving community.
Elle x