Inside Sanhu House Doula Training: Nourishment, Healing, and Hands-On Learning

Nov 14

Reimagining Postpartum Training at Sanhu House

At Sanhu House, postpartum care is not a job; it is a calling that takes constant learning and reflection.

This fall, our team of doulas and care specialists met for a deep, hands-on training focused on the traditions that inspire our work: warmth, nourishment, and recovery. Every Sanhu House doula already has a strong foundation in evidence-based care. This training went further by weaving in cultural wisdom and physical practice to help families feel truly cared for.

1. Upskilling Our Current Doulas

Postpartum recovery can be emotional, physical, and spiritual all at once. The goal of this training was to give our doulas new tools and confidence in every area of care.

We focused on:

Creating daily recovery rhythms for clients
Integrating Eastern and Western postpartum philosophies
Practicing sustainable rituals like belly binding, warm meal prep, and guided rest.

When our doulas grow, our families benefit. Every skill learned translates into calmer homes and smoother recoveries.

2. Seaweed Soup from Scratch

No Sanhu House training would be complete without a pot of miyeok-guk, or seaweed soup, simmering on the stove. In Korean sanhujori care, this dish represents renewal and healing. It helps replenish blood, supports milk production, and restores warmth after birth.

During the session, the team cooked seaweed soup completely from scratch and learned the nutritional science behind it:

Seaweed: iodine, calcium, and iron
Sesame oil and garlic: circulation and warmth
Broth base: hydration and minerals

We also practiced teaching families how to make it at home and how to adapt it for different dietary needs. For example, mushroom broth is a great vegetarian substitute that keeps all the minerals.

3. Understanding Postpartum Nutrition

Nutrition is one of the most misunderstood parts of postpartum recovery. Our Maternal Care Specialist and Chinese Medicine doctor led a workshop on how to create balance through food in the fourth trimester.

We talked about:

Why “warming” foods support recovery
How to tailor traditional foods to modern diets
The importance of regular, gentle meals for energy and hormone support

The goal was to give doulas practical ways to guide families through real-life meal prep, even when sleep is short and time is limited.

4. Learning and Teaching Belly Binding

Belly binding has become a trend in postpartum wellness, but in our work, it is a restorative ritual that helps mothers feel supported from the inside out. In this session, our doulas learned and practiced Bengkung-style belly binding, a traditional technique that:

Helps realign posture and supports the core
Encourages lymphatic flow and comfort
Provides a sense of containment and grounding during recovery

Our doulas also practiced teaching the technique so that families can continue it safely after our team leaves.

5. Why Ongoing Training Matters

At Sanhu House, we believe that mothers deserve care that evolves with them. Our training program is ongoing, not one-and-done. By investing in continued education, we make sure every doula on our team is equipped to bring both compassion and expertise into a family’s home.