Postnatal retreats: Why every new mum deserves rest and recovery

Date Published: 4th June 2025

Written By: Dina Shoukry

You’ve just done something incredible - brought a brand-new life into the world. But while everyone is celebrating your baby, you might be running on empty - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Sound familiar?

Motherhood is life-changing, magical… and completely exhausting. The fourth trimester—the critical weeks after birth—is a whirlwind of healing, emotions, and sleepless nights. Your body is recovering, your hormones are shifting, and just when you need rest the most, your entire focus is on your newborn.

But here’s the truth: you deserve care, too.

“The minute you give birth, you become a new person,” says Melanie Bearne, hypnobirthing teacher and doula. “Yet many women don’t allow themselves time to process the birth they’ve had or put the right support in place for this huge life transition.”

Around the world, many cultures honour this postpartum period with dedicated rest, nourishment, and healing treatments—because they recognise how vital recovery is. Yet so many new mums in the UK feel pressure to ‘bounce back’ quickly or struggle with guilt when they try to prioritise themselves.

But, as psychotherapist Anna Mathur, author of ‘Raising a Happier Mother’, reminds us: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

“Many mums feel guilty prioritising their needs, yet we wouldn’t question the need for rest and recovery after major surgery or illness. Birth is no different. A well-supported mother is better equipped to bond with her baby, navigate early parenthood, and prevent long-term depletion.”

The good news? More women are recognising the importance of postnatal care. The Global Wellness Summit even named postpartum wellness a top trend, proving that prioritising recovery is becoming the norm—and rightly so.

That’s where postnatal retreats come in. Offering tired, overwhelmed mums a chance to rest, recover, and be cared for, these retreats are changing the game - because you matter, too.
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The best postnatal retreats in the UK and beyond

If you love the idea of stepping away from the chaos and letting someone else take care of you for a change, a postnatal retreat might be exactly what you need. These retreats offer massage therapy, nutritious meals, lactation support, and physical and mental well-being sessions—all designed to leave you feeling stronger, calmer, and more confident with your new baby.

& Breathe Wellbeing (France, UK and worldwide)
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Focus: Postnatal fitness and holistic recovery

For Clio Wood, founder of & Breathe and Wellbeing, the first-ever postnatal retreat in the Western world, the idea was born out of her own struggles after childbirth.“I really struggled to find good postnatal support after I had my first daughter,” says Clio. “I battled postnatal depression, PTSD from a traumatic birth, and pelvic floor issues—but was passed from pillar to post between doctors and scans.”Determined to create a better support system for new mums, she launched & Breathe Wellbeing, offering retreats designed to nurture both body and mind.

Booking Details:

Cost: From £1,250 per adult (family of 3), £1,495 per adult (family of 4). Kids go free. Bursaries occasionally available on request
Website: andbreathewellbeing.com
Clio runs her signature retreats from a château in Limoges, France, but also offers retreats in the UK and worldwide on request. Grandparents also welcome.

Here are some of the things you can add to your stay:

Custom postnatal fitness programmes tailored to each mother’s needs
Expert recovery techniques for diastasis recti (ab separation) and pelvic floor healing
Two daily fitness classes for mums (plus sessions for dads)
Massages and holistic wellness treatments
Nutritious meals in the shared dining room
Nannying and babysitting for older children
Social connection – bond with other new parents in a warm, supportive environment

Little Comfort Farm (North Devon)
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Focus: Peace, privacy and nature-based healing

If you’re craving calm, quiet, and a deep connection to nature, Little Comfort Farm in North Devon is your perfect retreat. Set on 70 acres of organic farmland, it’s a world away from the chaos of newborn life.“If, as a new mum, you’re feeling self-conscious or just don’t feel great about yourself, you might want to hide away, create your own schedule, and heal on your terms,” says Jodie Ward, co-owner and ecologist.

Everything at Little Comfort Farm is designed for comfort, peace, and healing. The eco-friendly cottages are made with natural materials, come with isolation switches (great for those sensitive to electricity), and offer complete privacy for those who just want to rest and be.

The farm offers a DIY approach to stays, allowing new parents to be as active or as relaxed as they want.

Booking Details:

Minimum stay: 3 nights (7 nights at half-term holidays)
Cost: From £113 per night
Gift vouchers available
Website: littlecomfortfarm.co.uk
Little Comfort Farm allows you to recover at your own pace, with as much or as little interaction as you like. Families are welcome, and larger cottages are available for those bringing grandparents or friends.

Here are some of the things you can add to your stay:

Massage treatments for all (including postnatal massage)
Parent and baby yoga
Baby sound bath (a gentle session with gongs, singing bowls, and other soothing instruments)
Pregnancy and postpartum acupuncture
Complimentary guided nature walks and bat trails great for older kids
Complimentary use of the fishing lake, and option to book fishing lessons
Access to 70 acres of nature trails
Honesty-run farm shop stocked with delicious chef-prepared meals

The Tenth
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Focus: Ultimate luxury postnatal recovery

Dubbed the UK’s first luxury postpartum retreat, The Tenth Wellness is designed to support new mothers physically and mentally, developed in consultation with leading midwives, obstetricians, doulas, physiotherapists, and postpartum experts.

‍Founded by Hiba Siddiqui, The Tenth was inspired by her own challenging postpartum experience, where she found little guidance. Her vision? To redefine postnatal care by ensuring mothers receive the expert-led support they truly deserve after giving birth.

Hiba explains, “Postpartum recovery starts with recognising that your well-being matters too. At The Tenth, we encourage mothers to prepare by understanding what recovery truly entails—speaking with specialists, exploring different cultural practices, and connecting with experienced mothers. Hearing what they wish they had known or done differently provides a clearer, more realistic picture of what to expect.

Remember, it’s not just about caring for your baby, but also for yourself. Whether through in-home care, a retreat like The Tenth, or simply allowing others to step in, having the right support can make all the difference.”

‍Couples can check in straight from the hospital or anytime within the six-week postpartum period.

Booking Details:

Cost: £1,795 per night (minimum 3-night stay)
The Tenth also offers an at-home service: From £3,500 for 7 days
Website: tenthwellness.com

What’s Included?

Personalised recovery: Tailored postnatal care, including 24/7 midwifery care, lactation support, and pelvic floor therapy, postnatal massage, mother’s warming rituals, and chef-prepared nutrient-rich meals.
24/7 baby care: A team of newborn care professionals offering round-the-clock support and breastfeeding assistance.
Education and confidence building: One-on-one sessions and expert-led workshops with other new parents to help you feel prepared and empowered.
Luxury accommodation: Stay at the five-star Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, with access to its world-class spa and wellness facilities.

Other care options: Private postnatal hospital stays
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Focus: Minimal transitions

If you’re having your baby on the NHS but aren’t quite ready to go home after birth, some London NHS hospitals offer private postnatal rooms where you can rest and recover in more comfort. However, these rooms come at a substantial cost and cannot be pre-booked—meaning they operate on a first-come, first-served basis and availability is never guaranteed.

If you’re considering this option, it’s best to be flexible and prepared for the possibility that a room may not be available.

Tip: As soon as you arrive at the hospital, ask your partner to check availability and request a room. However, be prepared for the possibility that they may all be taken.

Booking Details:

The Kensington Wing (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital) – £1,325 per night
The Westminster Maternity Suite (St Thomas’ Hospital) – £1,050 per night

What’s Included? (Please contact hospital directly as this may vary)

En-suite facilities for privacy and comfort
Extra pull-out bed for your partner so they can stay with you
Three meals a day for both you and your partner
Midwife support (though your care remains under NHS staff)

Postnatal Doulas
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Focus: Affordable support at home

If you prefer to stay in your own space or need extra support at home, a postnatal doula is invaluable in providing essential physical and emotional support, help with breastfeeding and general wellness as well as help with cooking and light household duties.

Cost: Typically, £25-£40 per hour for as long as you need them
To find a trusted doula, visit doula.org.uk or www.birthblissdoulacourses.co.uk
An access fund is available from doula.org.uk

Final thoughts: You deserve this!
‍The message is simple: Postnatal care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you book a retreat, stay in a private hospital room, or create your own self-care space at home, prioritising your recovery is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby.So, if you’re a new mum or a soon to be new mum, take this as your permission slip to rest, heal, and be looked after.

‍Want to prepare your own postnatal recovery plan? Check out our expert tips here…
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A checklist to booking your postnatal retreat:

When do you want to go? – You can book early at around 10-12 weeks pregnancy for your postpartum recovery, but you can also book post birth too. Subject to availability, retreats will always try to accommodate you.
What kind of retreat are you looking for? Fitness/nature/luxury?
Check They're Insured
Your therapist should have public liability and professional indemnity insurance - this protects both of you in case something goes wrong. Don’t be shy about asking; any reputable therapist will be happy to confirm this.
Ask about specialist care, most retreats will offer massage treatments on site, some will have fitness experts, but if there is something specific you need, ask for it as many are happy to arrange it at an extra cost.
Do you want to take family? Some retreats will let you bring other kids and grandparents with you.
If you have specific dietary requirements, inform the retreat. All their foods are made with your postnatal recovery in mind, and they can cater to allergies and intolerances.

Written By:
Dina Shoukry
A freelance writer, and a mother of two. She often writes about parenting, education and lifestyle.
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ds@kalimatdina.com‍