MYTH: You Shouldn’t Worry About Gut Health After Birth
Let’s clear up a common misconception: many moms are led to believe that gut health is something you only need to worry about when you're older or dealing with specific health conditions. But the truth is, your gut health is crucial—especially after having a baby.

Your body has just gone through a major transformation, and while you’re busy caring for your newborn, you also need to care for yourself. Gut health plays a massive role in how you recover, your energy levels, and even your mental health postpartum.

Why Gut Health Matters After Birth

  1. Hormone Balance After giving birth, your hormones are all over the place. Your gut helps to regulate hormone levels, which is key to balancing mood swings, reducing anxiety, and helping you feel more like yourself again. A happy gut can lead to a happier, more balanced you.
  2. Energy Levels If you’re feeling drained, sluggish, or just not as energized as you’d like to be, your gut health might be partly to blame. The bacteria in your gut influence how well your body absorbs nutrients from food, so if your gut isn’t functioning at its best, you may not be getting all the benefits from what you’re eating. A healthy gut helps you absorb nutrients more efficiently, giving you the energy you need to keep up with your little one.
  3. Boosting Your Immune System Your immune system is already under stress postpartum, and with a newborn in the house, germs are inevitable. But did you know that a huge part of your immune system is located in your gut? By nourishing your gut with probiotics and fiber-rich foods, you can help strengthen your immune system and better protect yourself from getting sick—something every new mom could use!
  4. Reducing Postpartum Bloating Feeling bloated and uncomfortable after birth? It could be your gut’s way of telling you it needs some extra care. When your gut bacteria are out of balance, it can lead to gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort. Incorporating gut-friendly foods like fermented veggies, yogurt, and prebiotic-rich foods can help restore balance and reduce bloating.
How to Show Your Gut Some Love

  • Eat more fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These are packed with probiotics, which help increase the good bacteria in your gut.
  • Add fiber to your diet through fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Fiber is essential for feeding the good bacteria in your gut and keeping things moving smoothly.
  • Stay hydrated! Water is key for digestion and keeping your gut functioning well.
So, if you’ve been feeling off, bloated, or just not like yourself after giving birth, don’t ignore your gut health. Taking care of it now can make a world of difference in your recovery, energy levels, and overall well-being.
Show your gut some love—you deserve it!


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Meet Leah Negrin

 
I am a bold, beautiful, sometimes timid, usually happy, essential oil, nutrition junkie. Although at 39 I feel as if I've had several careers over a lifetime (or at least sometimes when I look back at my resume that is what shines through). I've been a paralegal, an office manager, an administrative assistant, worked in commercial lending and have finally landed on nutrition.

My journey to nutrition started many years ago when my sister was diagnosed with celiac disease and food had to change for the family. From there, along my own health journey I’ve helped people not only figure out what to eat but how to do it so that it can work for them sustainably. For almost seven years I’ve been counseling people on their nutrition and weight loss journeys. 

Finally getting some sunshine in Southern California *Photo credit  Brittany Hassett 

I am knowledgeable about what purpose food serves your body and I focus on finding sustainable options when it comes to food; this also led to my love of essential oils. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop where a registered dietitian spoke about using essential oils in her practice to help her patients. I was floored. I knew that #plantsheal but I didn't realize that others in the 'conventional' medical community thought that as well!! Learning that it was possible to incorporate these magical little bottles gave me a huge sense of hope.


Alina, myself and Caitlin (oily bffs) *Photo credit Anne Negrin

 
As I learned more about these oils I was diagnosed with increased intestinal permeability or as many of us know it, leaky gut. Leaky gut has been around for quite awhile but many of us are just learning what this is or why this is even more common these days than ever before. Many issues can be related to leaky gut including autoimmune diseases. Receiving this diagnosis just led me down a path further to learn about nutrition and how to best serve my body and take care of myself.


Enjoying a vegan ice cream cone in Budapest! *Photo credit to Michelle Owen 

Since birthing our sweet baby boy at home earlier this year I’ve been incredibly passionate about helping other women too who are pregnant and new mothers with their nutrition. Eating healthy for your pregnant body and your postpartum self is a game changer for both mother and baby.

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