By Anna Cave-Bigley
When I became a mum for the second time, I expected the sleepless nights. I expected the exhaustion. What I didn’t expect was the feeling of disappearing.
I was so consumed with caring for my baby—his feeds, his sleep, his every need—that I stopped noticing myself. I wore the same milk-stained clothes day after day. My skin felt dull, my hair unwashed, my body a stranger. The rituals that once made me feel like me—a spritz of perfume before heading out, a few minutes in front of the mirror, a hot shower without interruption—were gone.
And then there was the postpartum depression. I felt like I was trapped in my body, in a loop of feed, burp, soothe, repeat. I knew I loved my baby, but I struggled to feel connected to myself.
It took time, but I slowly started to reclaim small things that reminded me I was still me. A nourishing skincare routine that brought life back to my face. A perfume that smelled like something other than milk and baby wipes. A hair oil that made me feel put together, even if I hadn’t slept in days.
For any breastfeeding mum struggling to feel like herself again, the best gifts aren’t luxuries—they’re small, tangible ways to reconnect with who she is outside of motherhood.
1. Skincare That Restores Postpartum, Sleep-Deprived Skin
Breastfeeding takes so much from the body, and one of the first places it shows is the skin. The hormonal shifts, dehydration, and sheer exhaustion can make even the most radiant skin look dull, reactive, and depleted.
I remember looking in the mirror and thinking: Where did my glow go? Why does my skin feel so dry, so fragile?
That’s exactly why we created The SABI Active Nutrient Serum—because new mums don’t need complicated routines. They need one step that makes a real difference.
This fast-absorbing, deeply replenishing serum works to:
-
Hydrate deeply with hyaluronic acid, counteracting the water loss that comes with breastfeeding.
-
Support skin elasticity with seaweed extract, helping it recover from postpartum changes.
-
Balance and restore with adaptogens, calming redness and strengthening the skin barrier.
For months, this was my entire skincare routine. One product that gave me back my glow in under a minute.
Pair it with:
The SABI Prebiotic Moisturiser—because a mum’s skin deserves the same nourishment she gives her baby.
2. A Natural Perfume That Smells Like Her, Not Baby Milk
One of the hardest things about new motherhood? Feeling like your body doesn’t belong to you anymore. The baby is on you, in your arms, latched onto your breast 24/7. Your scent becomes a mix of milk, spit-up, and baby wipes.
I remember the first time I sprayed perfume after weeks of smelling like nothing but newborn. I almost cried. The scent instantly brought me back to myself—it reminded me I was still me.
The best perfumes for breastfeeding mums are natural, non-toxic, and light enough not to overwhelm the baby.
One of my favourites? Abel Odor’s Nurture Perfume—a completely natural fragrance designed for new mothers, with soft floral and grounding notes that make you feel fresh and renewed.
Other beautiful, safe perfume options:
-
Vyrao Free 00 – A clean, uplifting scent that feels energizing.
-
Rahua Palo Santo Oil Perfume – A warm, calming scent made with organic essential oils.
3. A Nourishing Hair Oil That Brings Back Strength & Shine
Postpartum hair loss hit me hard. I knew it was hormonal, I knew it was temporary, but watching clumps of hair come out in the shower was still heartbreaking.
I needed something that didn’t just mask the problem but actually helped strengthen my hair at the root.
A game-changer for me was Fable & Mane’s HoliRoots Hair Oil—an ayurvedic scalp treatment with ashwagandha and castor oil to support hair growth and nourish the scalp.
I applied it before showers, left it in overnight, and within a few weeks, my hair felt stronger, looked shinier, and the shedding slowed down.
Other beautiful, non-toxic hair care options:
-
Rahua Hydration Hair Mask – Deeply conditions postpartum dry hair.
-
Wildsmith Skin Fortifying Hair Elixir – Strengthens strands from the root.
4. The Simplest Makeup That Brings Back Radiance in 30 Seconds
Breastfeeding meant I rarely had time for makeup—but I wanted something that made me feel put together when I looked in the mirror.
For me, that meant one quick step—a swipe of colour, a bit of glow, nothing heavy.
One of my favourite finds? ILIA’s Multi-Stick—a creamy, blendable tint for cheeks and lips, giving instant warmth and brightness with zero effort.
Another postpartum must-have? Kjaer Weis The Beautiful Oil—a luxurious, fast-absorbing facial oil that wakes up dull skin instantly.
5. A Ritual That’s Just for Her
The best gifts for a breastfeeding mum aren’t just things—they’re ways to remind her she still exists outside of motherhood.
That’s why I always recommend The SABI Nurtured Mother Set—a complete postpartum self-care package with deeply nourishing skincare, teas for restoration, and gentle, intentional rituals to help mums feel like themselves again.
Because Mums Deserve to Feel Like Themselves Again
Breastfeeding is one of the most selfless things a mother can do. But that doesn’t mean she has to lose herself in the process.
A bottle of skin-restoring serum, a natural scent that feels like her, a hair oil that strengthens postpartum strands—these aren’t just gifts. They’re small acts of care that remind her she matters, too.
Because when a mum feels seen, supported, and like herself again, she can show up even more fully for her baby. And that? Is the greatest gift of all.
HORMONAL & PROUD
Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI is changing the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and even, pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.
We invite you to get to know your body and its cycles better –– to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormones to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. We are here to help with the information, understanding and natural tools to support your body and the emotional process along with it.
