The first 40 days:

Planning for a calm, rested postpartum

Book now

Saturday 28 November 2026 at 2-5pm
Kin Wellbeing, Crystal Palace
£60 per couple
(early bird price £55, use code RESTED)

A practical session to increase your understanding of the postpartum period, explore your expectations for postpartum with your partner and prepare for a restful recovery period.

With Chloe George, postnatal doula and Sally Rickard, lactation consultant

You’ve read the books.
You’ve thought about the birth.
You’ve probably bought more tiny outfits than you’d like to admit.

But almost no one talks honestly about the weeks after your baby is born.

The fourth trimester is a time of enormous transition.
Your body is recovering from birth, your hormones are shifting and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb.

And yet, many new parents are sent off with little guidance beyond “you’ll work it out.”

This session is designed to help you and your birth partner walk into the fourth trimester feeling informed, grounded, and supported—not blindsided.

We’ll explore:

  • what’s normal in the early weeks, including newborn behaviour in the first trimester—sleep, feeding, crying, and closeness

  • What to expect for the new mother: exhaustion, emotional shifts, and the realities of physical recovery

  • What other cultures do to support new mothers and families, and how that might inspire us for our own postpartum

We’ll focus on how to care for yourself and your family to create a good beginning of your parenting journey, including:

  • Why rest and low stimulation are essential after birth, and how to get them

  • Creating a quieter, slower rhythm to support your recovery and your baby feeling calm and settled

  • Getting off to a good start with feeding your baby, with whatever method is right for your family

  • Simple, nourishing ways to support healing, bonding, and nervous system regulation

  • Letting go of unrealistic timelines and “shoulds” in favor of what actually supports wellbeing

This isn’t about memorising information or doing things perfectly. Once we’re informed about this stage and have shifted our mindset towards rest and recovery, we can take steps towards a much more supported beginning for your new family.

You’ll come away with a clearer idea of what to expect, your preferences for this time and a solid plan for your postnatal period. You’ll get a handout with some key-takeaways to refer back to.

This session is for you if:

  • You’re expecting a baby and want to feel prepared without feeling overwhelmed

  • You want realistic, compassionate information about the early weeks

  • You value rest, nervous system support, and calm beginnings

  • You want to learn more about feeding your baby and how you can set yourself up for a positive feeding journey

This session may not be for you if:

  • You’re looking for strict schedules or want to promote routines or independence in your newborn

Is this just for first-time parents?
No - while first-time parents often find it especially helpful, anyone wanting a calmer, more supported fourth trimester will benefit from the session. It will be beneficial if you’re going into your second postpartum and would like to do things differently this time around, and/or you want to make sure your partner is on the same page in terms of expectations and needs in these early days.

Is this antenatal education?
This session includes education, but it’s not a traditional antenatal class. As well as looking at the needs of newborns and new parents in postpartum, we’ll take time to explore our own expectations, preferences and coping mechanisms after birth.

Will this tell me exactly what to do with my baby?
No rigid rules or schedules. The goal is more understanding newborn needs so you can respond with confidence and care.

Can partners or support people attend?
Partners and support people are warmly encouraged, as their understanding plays a big role in promoting rest and recovery. You are also very welcome to come by yourself - please enquire for a reduced rate.

About your facilitators

Chloe George

I’ve been a perinatal yoga teacher for ten years and a postnatal doula for seven. I have two children of my own, and after two very different postpartum experiences, I know first-hand the difference being prepared and supported at this stage makes. I love working as a doula and helping families navigate this time, and this session is one I wish I’d received as a parent-to-be. I’m really excited to share this information and help you feel resourced as you move towards the newborn days.

Sally Rickard IBCLC

Sally is a mum with a busy private practice locally offering breastfeeding support home visits, and a free breastfeeding group at Kin Wellbeing.

As an IBCLC Sally shares information on breastfeeding, bottle feeding & pumping, as well as drawing on her 20 year nanny career.