After the Baby's Birth: A Complete Guide for Postpartum Women [Paperback]

Robin Lim (Author), Marcia Barnett-Lopez (Illustrator), Jan Francisco (Photographer)

Book Description

Release date: September 1, 2004

The first few weeks and months after a baby'¬?s birth can be a wonderful and confusing time. While trying to discover the best ways to care for her child, new (and experienced) mothers often neglect their own health. It is essential, however, that mothers pay as much attention to their own wellness as they pay to their baby'¬?s health and happiness during this crucial time. In a completely revised and updated edition of AFTER THE BABY'¬?S BIRTH, childcare and women'¬?s-wellness expert Robin Lim guides mothers through the best methods of mother and baby postpartum care, including parental nurturing, breastfeeding, the role of the father, nutrition, and early sensory education. Focusing on natural and wholesome practices, AFTER THE BABY'¬?S BIRTH is a sensitive, practical guide to post-pregnancy health.‚Ä¢ Includes touching personal stories based on real-life experiences of mothers.‚Ä¢ Features a collection of delicious recipes formulated especially for postpartum women, plus a special chapter dedicated to the ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine.‚Ä¢ Original edition sold 30,000 copies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; Revised edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587611104
• ISBN-13: 978-1587611100
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A comprehensive guide to dealing with a phase of childbirth that usually garners only a chapter in other books on preparing for the big event. Well written, and researched while the author was pregnant with her fourth child, this book is full of common sense and practical suggestions for dealing with the major changes in a woman's body and life in the postpartum period. Although some readers may be put off by the references to Indian and Far Eastern words and philosophies, the overall gentleness and sagacity make this a very suitable purchase for libraries. Highly recommended.
- Anne Washburn, Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore Lib., Greensboro, N.C.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Stands out in a field filled with practical how-to books." -Journal of Human Lactation

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; Revised edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587611104
• ISBN-13: 978-1587611100
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robin Lim CPM ...
has been chosen as a CNN Hero for 2011
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/archive11/robin.lim.html
born 1956 Heritage; Filipino/Chinese mother, German/Irish/Native American father.

Ibu (mother) Robin is a Certified Professional Midwife, with the North American Registry of midwives and Ikatan Bidan Indonesia. Ibu Robin is a teacher of the Billings method of natural family planning and a registered NARM Preceptor. She is a founder and an executive director for Yayasan Ibu Bumi Sehat, (Healthy Mother Earth Foundation) a not for profit organization in Indonesia.
www.bumisehatbali.org

Lim splits her time between the Bumi Sehat Birth Center in Bali and the Tsunami Relief Clinic in Samatiga Aceh, Sumatra. www.bumisehatbali.org
Along with capacity building - teaching responsibilities with midwives & receiving babies, Ibu Robin is an author. Her first book; After the Baby's Birth (Celestial Arts/ 10 Speed Press, Berkeley, CA 2001) is a guide for postpartum women. This book is also available in Italian language, Dopo la nascita del bambino, published by URRA-Apogeo of Milano.
Also published by Celestial Arts is Robin's cookbook and nutritional guide, Eating for Two... Recipes for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women. Lim has two published books of poetry, is a contributor to the Tsunami Notebook (Half Angel Press, Bali, Indonesia, 2005), published in 2006 by Half Angel; Obat Asli... the Traditional Healing Herbs of Bali. In 2009 her novel, Butterfly People, was released in September 2009 by Anvil Press in the Philippines. In 2010 Lerner Classroom Books (Country Explorers) will release Lim's book for children, INDONESIA. Most exciting is her forthcoming book, Placenta... the Forgotten Chakra.
In Bahasa Indonesia Ibu Robin's Books and educational materials include: ASI EKSKLUSIF DONG - Breastfeeding Awareness Film.
ASI Eksklusif Dong (Exclusive Breastfeeding Dude - a book for new fathers and their families aimed at giving them the knowledge they need to support breastfeeding).
Ibu Alami (Natural Mother) This book is the mother's manual empowering her along the exact guidelines of the IMBCO.
Anak Alami (Natural Child) a handbook for new parents.

In October 2009 I completed a lecture tour speaking in 21 venues in Italy sponsored by Farmacia Pozzi, La Leche League Italia, Il Melograno Centro Informazione Maternita e Nascita. The theme was L'allattamento nelle emergenze or Breastfeeding in Emergency situations.
In 2006 Lim was given the Alexander Langer International Peace Award www.alexanderlanger.org
In 2009 ibu Robin's daughter, Déjà Bernhardt released her film about the work of Bumi Sehat and the essential importance of gentle birth for a more peaceful planet, "Guerrilla Midwife". You will cry and laugh and celebrate for this is the film midwives and gentle birth families have waited for. Ibu Robin also wrote the script for the award winning short documentary, Tsunami Notebook. www.skwattacamp.com


Robin's support and inspiration is her family, husband Wil, and eight astounding children, ages 33 to 3. Most profound moments of Lim's life were receiving her own granddaughter, Zhouie and grandson, Bodhi into her hands at home. Lim's Filipino Grandmother, Vicenta Munar Lim, was a traditional birth attendant in the Baguio mountain region of Luzon, Philippine Islands. Before during and after WWII she served as a healer and baby catcher for her people. Just as Lim's "Lola" passed her family tradition of hands-on healing down to her, Lim is already training her granddaughter, Zhouie, in the art and passion of midwifery and service to humanity.

www.bumisehatbali.org
www.robinlimsupport.org

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I'd had this book when my first two were born October 22, 2003

By D. Cole

Format:Paperback

I wish I'd had this book when my first two were born. When I was pregnant with the third I came across it and cried for having not known what kind of support I would need when the baby was born or how to ask for it. In America, we think a woman about to have a baby needs things - diapers, baby clothes, crib covers, and stuff. But what we really need is support and company and help with all the chores we shouldn't be doing during that first week of bonding, and recovering. After reading this book, when my best friend asked what I wanted for my babyshower, I replied "help" and we created a wish list of assistance during the first few weeks and people signed up to bring food, drive my oldest son to school, help with laundry, etc. It also has lots of good advice on post-partum birth control, recipes, exercises (with the baby), and around-the-world perspectives on the post-partum period. I am now ordering 3 copies to I can give one to each of my pregnant friends, along with "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Its About Time! August 30, 2003

By Alesia Lloyd

Format:Paperback

It's about time that women have access to information that empowers them the nourish and heal themselves in ways that western medical science has denied them for so long.

With the power of being a mother and midwife, Lim writes this book as a gift to all new mothers, introducing them to their post-partumn lives in a beautiful, natural, and nourishing way.

I read this book after my second daughter was born and it change my reality. When I had my first child my post-partum experience was terrible, I was a new mother and had no access to anyone who really cared or unerstood what I was going through. All the doctor's saw me as was a body. No room for my feelings or quesions about my new role, or knowledge of natural healing herbs or message was available to me. It was a shame, and I feel that many women unknowingly accept this fate.

After reading this book for my second post-partum experience, I was empowered by Lim's nourishing words and wisdom, to take care of the part of myself that was a mother, not just a body. My emotions, my diet, my relationship with my husband and other child, knowledge of helpful herbs, and ayurvedic massage all come togother in a way that wholistic and nourishing.

This book is an important book for this time, when women are now begining to comprehend their roles as mothers in a completely new way than ever before, Women are now allowed to be the beautiful and natural healers that we have always wanted to be. Everyday we nourish our families, and nourish our co-workers, and bosses at work, but in this very special time of post-partum, it is finally our time to nourish and heal ourselves, and take time out to experience the bliss of our new family....

Lim's book will help us walk along this path guided by her wisdom and experience of attending the births of thousands of babies to women and mothers all around the world.

I highly reccommend this book to for any new mother, it will make a perfect gift. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gently Supports Health Maintenance- Basis of all Wellness October 8, 2003

By G. M. Catena

Format:Paperback

This revised edition of "After the Baby's Birth" continues with Robin's notable heartwarming and gentle approach to reinforce mothers' instincts. She gently and scientifically blends eastern and western traditions of maternal - infant health to guide women through this vulnerable transition time. The writing style lovingly validates the importance of care of self and child, when so much of our society validates neglecting oneself and newborn infant.
Beginning with support through the initial days of wonder and overwhelming motherhood, Robin covers all aspects of preventative health care - how to keep oneself healthy and avoid needless problems. Exercise, infant feeding, maternal nutrition, sexuality, sleep(lessness), and emotional vulnerability are all addressed while allowing for the variety of familial configurations in our modern society.
Illustrations are simple and clear. Writing space is provided for journaling or personal note taking.
The book is a "must-read" for all expectant and new mothers. I practically require it for my patients. A great baby shower gift!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the usual "how to" book April 11, 2003

By kimba524

Format:Paperback

If you're looking for mere facts & statistics, this may not be the book for you. But if you want a more "personal touch", and especially if you believe new mothers should be honored and pampered, get this book! What I love most about it is the absolute reverence the author shows for childbirth and mothering. Most other baby/mother care books may have helpful info, but read like the owner's manual you'd get with a new appliance or car. This one has useful information, but also emphasizes the emotional and spiritual aspects of having a baby. Even if you don't plan to use the Eastern-based references to diet, exercise, etc., reading about other cultures' approaches to birthing and mothering can be quite a valuable contrast to the Western (highly medicalized) perspective.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable for the New Mother December 3, 2000

By Amy Lemmon Bowen

Format:Paperback

I discovered this book when my son was nearly 2 months old, and wish I'd had it BEFORE he was born! It is extremely helpful for the first-time mom, giving encouragement and advice that even the most well-meaning friends and relatives might forget. I especially appreciated the chapter on eating, which includes a lot of good thoughts about body image (i.e., adjusting your expectations after becoming a mom). After reading it I sent a copy to my younger sister, whose first baby was born 3 months after mine.

I hope the publisher reprints it (and maybe invites the author to update it) so more mamas can benefit from Robin Lim's wisdom!