I remember waking up in the hospital after giving birth and feeling something I hadn’t expected an almost unbearable hunger. Not a craving. Not a “maybe I could eat.” A deep, bone-tired hunger that felt all-consuming.
And I wasn’t alone. So many mums tell me the same thing.
We prepare for the birth. We might even prep a few freezer meals. But no one really talks about the level of hunger that arrives with postpartum. The kind that says, I’m rebuilding. I’m producing milk. I’m healing. And I need more than a dry piece of toast and a cup of lukewarm tea to get through it.
So let’s talk about what your body is really asking for after baby arrives and why it matters.
You’re Recovering, Not “Bouncing Back”
Your body has just completed a marathon of growth, labour and delivery. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a caesarean, your tissues are healing, your organs are shifting back into place, and your hormones are recalibrating.
It’s not just about weight or energy. It’s about cellular recovery. Protein, fats, minerals, your body needs them all. Not for aesthetics, but for restoration.
Protein Isn’t Just a Gym Thing - It’s a Healing Thing
Did you know that postpartum protein needs are higher than they were in pregnancy? One study even showed that breastfeeding mums required more protein than elite female athletes.
Protein helps repair tissue, supports milk supply, stabilises blood sugar, and keeps you feeling grounded when your body is working overtime. Think slow-cooked meats, eggs, fish, legumes, bone broth, and hearty stews. These are your postpartum power foods.
You’re Training for the Long Haul
Imagine you’re training for something physically demanding but instead of being cheered on and offered nourishing meals, you're handed a biscuit and a weak tea.
Postpartum demands energy. Between night feeds, hormonal shifts, and physical recovery, you’re burning through more than most people realise. This isn’t the time for restrictive eating. This is the time for nourishment.
Warm, grounding meals made with real ingredients. Whole grains, healthy fats, warming spices, and colourful vegetables. Food that satisfies and sustains.
Your Freezer Can Be a Lifeline
If you’re still pregnant, this is your sign to batch cook. Think meatballs, veggie soups, pulled lamb, slow-cooked beans, and lactation-friendly snacks. If you’ve already had your baby, ask for help. Accept the meal drop-off. Reheat the same nourishing soup for lunch two days in a row.
Meal prep is not about being “on top of it.” It’s about removing friction from the moments when everything feels hard.
You Deserve to Be Fed, Too
Somewhere along the way, we’ve absorbed the idea that everyone else comes first the baby, the visitors, the washing pile. But feeding yourself is not an afterthought. It’s a form of self-respect.
You’re not being demanding when you say, “I’m hungry.” You’re being wise.
Your body is speaking. It’s asking for support. It’s allowed to do that.
Looking for Postpartum Support? We’re Here.
If you’re in the thick of early motherhood and craving more care, practical, emotional or physical, we’d love to walk beside you.
📍 We offer doula care across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Geelong
🖥️ Learn more or connect with our team at ifillyourcup.com
You don’t have to do this alone. And you were never meant to. 💛
Disclaimer: The information on this website presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice.
Nothing contained in this site is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice
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