Die ersten vierzig Tage

The first forty days after birth are a crucial phase in a mother's life: her baby is slowly adjusting to the world, and mother and child are getting to know each other and learning to live together. This book focuses on the well-being of the mother during the early weeks of the child's life, while the attention is often placed solely on the newborn. Heng Ou was inspired by the traditional Chinese ritual of zuo yuezi, the ancient art of caring for the young mother, which her aunt Ou, a gifted healer, introduced her to. This nurturing ritual emphasizes retreat, rest, and warmth, providing emotional, mental, and practical support to the mother through carefully selected, nourishing foods and drinks. Many other cultures also have similar rituals, and Heng Ou interprets this wealth of knowledge in a fresh, contemporary way.