Postnatal retreats are the newest trend for new moms. Mom, Dad, and baby can relax and be pampered with support services nearby to help ease into life with a new baby. These retreats can provide a foundation for family life with a new addition and reduce stress and anxiety for new moms. Of course there is a catch: In the US, only the wealthy can afford them.
New Trend Addresses Old Needs
Medical experts agree that US mothers very often experience gaps in care after giving birth. This can lead to increased health concerns, both mental and physical. Parents do not always have the support they need to adjust to life with a newborn and postnatal retreats aim to fill those gaps.
The New York Post reports that a growing number of postnatal retreats are opening across the country, where new moms can recover from childbirth, connect with their newborn and even enjoy some spa services. These retreats are commonplace in in many Asian countries. For example, in South Korea, 8 in 10 new moms go to a joriwon after giving birth, where they have access to meals, child-care classes and pampering such as massages and facials.
Pampering and Support for New Moms
According to Bloomberg, the high-end recovery centers opening in the US are nonclinical, meaning they don’t technically offer health care, but they’re staffed by doulas, nurses and medical assistants with the training to know when guests should seek a doctor’s care.
They offer nutritious meals, massages, lactation consultation, and a host of other services, depending on the resort. Of course, these luxuries come at a cost: $1000 per night or more.
Cost Prices Out Most
Bloomberg reports that these resorts highlight a gap in postnatal care and recovery in the United States. While the wealthy have access to pivotal resources and care, the vast majority of American mothers give birth in a hospital and are sent home soon after. This is compounded by the fact that the US fails to guarantee parental leave for new moms, leaving many mothers without the luxury of support, resources, and time to bond with their little one.
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