Alicia talks about her experience at Boram Care, a Korean postpartum retreat-inspired space.
I grew up bicultural and bilingual, splitting time between Korea and the U.S. I saw firsthand the incredible support mothers receive in Korea right after delivering their babies. During the “fourth trimester,” there’s just as much a focus on the recovering mother as there is on the newborn. Think nourishing meals made with nutrients ideal for recovery and helping with milk production, specific massages to help heal the body, herbal concoctions for drainage, help so that moms could sleep a little more, emotional and mental support, and more.
I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and for my first baby, I didn’t realize how challenging recovery could be. I struggled a lot and was in chronic pain for months to come. So, for my second baby, I really leaned into postpartum recovery and what I could do differently this time around. While I was researching, I came across Boram Care. They are modeled after Korean postpartum retreat centers where the entire focus is on the mother’s recovery as a whole person. The more I read about Boram Care and what they offered, the more impressed I was. They offer such a comprehensive way to care for recovering postpartum moms in such a holistic way.
When I spoke to someone at Boram Care, they suggested coming straight from the hospital after delivery because they offer so much support that is helpful right after having your baby, including lactation guidance. So that’s what we did.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but as soon as we stepped foot into Boram Care, I really felt my tension melt away. The combination of the very quiet space to the support provided around the clock to having certified experts available made me feel so relaxed. As a second-time mom, some things are easier, but I also forgot so much about newborn care! So, it was helpful to be able to have people right there for questions.
The hotel space is beautiful and truly comfortable. The bed and couch were plush. The vibe is serene. And my favorite was the mother’s lounge where everything is beautiful and comfortable. Comfort is so key when you’re recovering!
I especially appreciated the delicious meals that are prepared and sent to your room three times a day – at exactly the times you want them. The meals were nourishing, healthy, and delicious. Even though I was tired, and I tend to prioritize sleep over food, I still looked forward to every meal. Think perfectly roasted juicy chicken over grilled and scrumptiously seasoned vegetables and a sweet and savory dessert to finish off the meal. And in between meals, the mother’s lounge is stocked with tasty snacks that are curated for recovery support and/or lactation support. I liked the brands I found there so much, I jotted them down and ordered those exact snacks when I got home.
Beyond the space and the meals, I loved that Boram Care has physical support available for recovery. They’ll come by and set up foot soaks for you whenever you need them to support recovery and relaxation. They’ll also set up sitz baths for relief. I also opted for in-room massages specifically tailored for postpartum moms. I learned that you don’t want to do deep tissue in some areas because your body has too much relaxin and it can actually cause damage instead of healing. I felt relieved to be in expert hands who are so familiar with what happens during this window of time instead of getting a postnatal massage somewhere else that doesn’t truly offer expert care.
The other huge perk that my husband and I felt throughout our whole time there is the luxury of extra time. Washing bottles, pump parts, pacifiers, washing and changing bed sheets – all of this takes time. And time is gold when you’re sleep-deprived and caring for a newborn that feeds every two to three hours. All we had to do is text a number and someone would come pick up whatever we needed to be cleaned and then drop them off when we wanted them. I have to say there’s nothing better than not worrying about the “dishes” when all you want to do is get that extra thirty minutes of sleep!
There’s a 24/7 nursery on-site as well with the most loving caregivers. We met them and loved talking to them about all their experiences and stories. We met someone who helped run a postpartum clinic in Uganda for years and it was fascinating hearing stories about different cultures – but one universal truth remains, it takes a village postpartum. We didn’t use the nursery during our stay there because I was nursing and would need to get up anyway, and our baby slept well. But for those who want to use the nursery, this is a huge, huge help even if it’s just to have a few hours baby-free to get in a high-quality nap.
While there were so many benefits of staying at Boram Care, my all-time favorite was the exceptional classes offered. Experts came in and taught everything from infant CPR to different attachment styles babies can develop to different ways to continue self-care at home. I took so many notes and still rely on them. It was also really fun to connect with other parents in the mother’s lounge where the classes are held because you’re all going through that same early postpartum journey together. Nothing like sharing some good laughs together while sharing stories about the ups and downs of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum days!
While I was gifted this stay at Boram Care, knowing everything I experienced, this would be an investment I would happily make because my recovery experience between my first and second baby was like night and day. I was so excited to write about Boram Care because when you stumble upon something that good, it feels like a PSA that needs to be shared. I was also impressed to hear that Boram Care is looking into ways to work with insurance companies and advocating for governments to provide more support for postpartum care, like in Korea, where the government helps pay for stays at postpartum retreat centers.
I write and share about Korean beauty and skincare a lot, and was excited to share about other Korean self-care/wellness practices, including all that Boram Care has to offer during such a unique and in many ways, vulnerable time. If you’re expecting, I highly recommend checking out Boram Care. If you’re not able to get to Boram Care physically, they also offer Boram Care anywhere which provides access to experts during those early days and months. Let me know if you have any questions about my experience at Boram Care – you can leave comments below or find me on social media to drop me a note. Happy to share more!
xo,
Alicia
Please note this post is sponsored by Boram Care.
