Rest is not doing nothing, it’s healing in progress
Words by
Clare Bourne, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Updated on
14 Oct 2025
In the early weeks after birth, the pressure to “bounce back” can creep in fast, whether it’s getting back into routine, replying to messages, or just feeling like you “should be doing more.”
But your body isn’t asking for hustle. It’s asking for space to heal.
Rest looks different in the real world
It doesn’t mean silence, candles, and spa days (though we’d take them). Postpartum rest is messier, louder, and happens in tiny windows. It looks like:
Lying on the sofa while feeding your baby
Choosing a nap instead of folding laundry
Letting someone else do the dishes, even if they don’t do it your way
Sitting down with your feet up while the baby naps
Skipping one more task on your to-do list
It’s choosing recovery over busyness, even just once a day.
Why rest matters for healing
When you rest, your body gets a chance to do what it’s designed to do: repair, regulate, and recover. Rest helps:
Reduce pressure on your pelvic floor
Support healing of tissues, wounds, or surgical scars
Balance your hormones and energy levels
Soothe your nervous system, especially after the intensity of birth
Restore connection to your body and breath
This is the foundation your future strength is built on.
Rest can be active, too
Not everyone finds stillness easy, especially when your mind is wired for care, planning, or survival mode. That’s okay. Rest can also mean:
Gentle breathing exercises while lying down
Listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook during feeds
Writing or recording voice notes about how you’re feeling
Sitting quietly with your hand on your belly, breathing deeply
Looking out the window, not at your phone
Even mindful stillness counts. You’re still doing something: you’re healing.
This is the foundation your strength is built on
Rest isn’t lazy. It’s not avoidance. It’s recovery.
It’s what helps your body rebuild so you can feel stronger, not just sooner, but more sustainably.
Every moment you give yourself to breathe, soften, or pause is a moment you’re choosing long-term healing.
You're not falling behind. You're doing the work, even when it looks like stillness.