10 Indian Recipes for New Confinement Mums After Delivery

Recently welcomed a little one into your life? The postnatal period, often referred to as "suvidh" in Indian culture, is a period of rest and recuperation for new mothers. During this time, it's crucial to follow postpartum food recipes that promote healing, milk supply, and overall well-being.

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Here are some essential tips to keep in mind for your Indian confinement diet:

• Focus on warm, cooked foods: Avoid raw or cold foods as they can be difficult to digest.
• Include plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated is key for both you and your baby.
• Opt for nourishing ingredients: Think lentils, rice, vegetables, and spices known for their healing properties.

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Let’s now take a look at the ten easy-to-prepare postpartum Indian food recipes for mamas.

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1. Ajwain (Carom Seeds) & Methi (Fenugreek) Paratha

This classic flatbread is not just tasty, but it’s also beneficial for digestion and increasing milk supply. Ajwain aids in digestion, which can be particularly useful postpartum while methi is renowned for boosting milk production, making this Indian dish a perfect confinement food for new mums after delivery.

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Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour – 1 cup
• Ajwain seeds – 1 tsp
• Fresh methi leaves – 1/2 cup, chopped
• Ghee – 2 tbsp (for kneading and frying)
• Salt – a pinch (optional)

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, ajwain seeds, chopped methi leaves, and a pinch of salt.
2. Gradually add warm water to knead a soft dough, incorporating 1 tablespoon of ghee for richness.
3. Divide the dough into small balls and roll each one out into a paratha.
4. Heat a tava (griddle) and cook each paratha, applying ghee on both sides until they turn golden brown.
5. Serve hot with fresh curd or a side of your favorite dal.

2. Daliya (Broken Wheat) Khichdi

A warm and comforting confinement recipe dish, khichdi is easy on the stomach and packed with nutrients. This dish is a wholesome mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fibre, providing the energy needed for recovery and breastfeeding Indian mothers.

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Ingredients:

• Broken wheat (daliya) – 1/2 cup
• Yellow moong dal – 1/4 cup
• Diced carrot and peas – 1/4 cup each
• Ghee – 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Hing (asafoetida) – a pinch
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• Salt – to taste

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Wash and soak daliya and moong dal together for about 10 minutes.
2. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add a pinch of hing and turmeric powder.
3. Add diced vegetables, the soaked daliya, and dal along with 2-3 cups of water and salt.
4. Cook under pressure for 2-3 whistles until soft.
5. Serve warm, garnished with fresh coriander and a drizzle of ghee.

3. Ginger & Fennel Porridge

Ginger aids digestion and reduces bloating, while fennel promotes milk production. Overall, this sweet porridge recipe is soothing for the digestive system and packed with warmth, perfect for new Indian mums after delivery.

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Ingredients

• Rice – 1/2 cup
• Fresh ginger – 1-inch piece, grated
• Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
• Jaggery – 1/4 cup, grated
• Milk – 1/2 cup (optional)
• Ghee – 1 tsp

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Rinse the rice and cook it with enough water until soft and mushy.
2. In a small pan, heat ghee, add grated ginger and fennel seeds, and sauté until aromatic.
3. Add this mixture to the cooked rice along with jaggery. Stir well.
4. Add milk if desired and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Chickpea & Spinach Curry 

Alternatively, try out this flavourful curry which is a great source of protein and fibre for Indian mamas craving a hearty dish. Spinach is rich in iron and folic acid, which are important for postpartum recovery.

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Ingredients

• Chickpeas - 1 can, drained and rinsed
• Spinach - 1 bunch, chopped
• Onion - 1, chopped
• Tomato - 1, chopped
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 teaspoon
• Garam masala - 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cumin powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt to taste
• Vegetable broth - 2 cups

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Sauté onion, ginger-garlic paste, and spices in a pot.
2. Add chickpeas, spinach, and vegetable broth.
3. Simmer until the spinach is wilted and the curry has thickened.

5. Gond (Edible Gum) Ladoo

Prefer an Indian snack instead? Made from gond (edible gum), wheat flour, ghee, and various nuts, laddoos are packed with nutrients that aid mum’s postpartum recovery and increase energy levels. The edible gum, when roasted in ghee, provides warmth and sustenance, which is especially useful for healing after delivery. Additionally, gond is believed to help improve milk supply, making it particularly beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. 

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Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour – 1 cup
• Edible gum (gond) – 1/4 cup
• Ghee – 1/2 cup
• Chopped almonds and cashews – 1/4 cup each
• Grated jaggery – 1/2 cup
• Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Heat ghee in a pan and fry the gond until it puffs up and turns golden. Crush it roughly and set aside.
2. In the same ghee, roast the whole wheat flour until it’s fragrant and lightly browned.
3. Add the chopped nuts, crushed gond, and cardamom powder to the flour and mix well.
4. Stir in the grated jaggery until melted and well combined.
5. Shape the mixture into small balls and let them cool.

6. Haldi Doodh (Turmeric Milk)

Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, while the addition of black pepper enhances its absorption, making this drink perfect for postnatal recovery. Combined, this age-old recipe is perfect for soothing the body and promoting healing for new  Indian mums after delivery.

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Ingredients

• Milk – 1 cup
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
• Black pepper – a pinch
• Jaggery or honey – to taste
• A few crushed almonds (optional)

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk gently, adding turmeric powder and black pepper.
2. Sweeten with jaggery or honey according to your taste.
3. Optionally, add crushed almonds for added nutrition.
4. Enjoy this warm before bedtime for a calming effect.

7. Ginger & Lemon Tea 

Another drink alternative, this warm and soothing tea is perfect for aiding digestion and boosting immunity. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while lemon is a good source of vitamin C.

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Ingredients:

• Water - 2 cups
• Ginger - 1 inch piece, sliced
• Lemon - 1, juiced
• Honey - to taste

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

• Boil water and add ginger slices.
• Let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
• Strain the tea and add lemon juice and honey to taste.

8. Moringa (Drumstick Leaves) Dal Soup

Packed with nutrients, this soup recipe is a superfood for postpartum recovery. Moringa is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and protein, all of which are crucial for new Indian mothers to restore strength and support lactation during confinement.

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Ingredients

• Yellow moong dal – 1/2 cup
• Fresh moringa leaves (drumstick leaves) – 1/2 cup, washed
• Ghee – 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Garlic – 2-3 cloves, minced
• Salt – to taste
• Water – 2 cups

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Cook the moong dal in a pressure cooker with enough water until soft.
2. In a separate pan, heat ghee and sauté cumin seeds and minced garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the moringa leaves and sauté for a few minutes before mixing in the cooked dal.
4. Season with salt and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

9. Saag (Spinach) Paneer Soup

Packed with iron and protein, this spinach and paneer soup is delicious, light, and nutrient-dense. Spinach provides iron, essential for replenishing blood loss after childbirth, while paneer adds protein, vital for strength and tissue repair.

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Ingredients

• Fresh spinach leaves – 1 cup, washed and chopped
• Paneer – 1/4 cup, cubed
• Ghee – 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
• Black pepper – a pinch
• Salt – to taste
• Water – 2 cups

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Heat ghee in a pot, add cumin seeds, and let them crackle. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden.
2. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted.
3. Pour in water, add salt, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add paneer cubes and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper and serve warm.

10. Coconut Milk Rice Pudding 

Craving some dessert? Coconut milk is rich in healthy fats and provides a creamy texture. This comforting rice pudding is a classic Indian dessert that is both nourishing and delicious, especially mamas with a sweet tooth.

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Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 1/2 cup
• Coconut milk - 2 cups
• Milk - 1 cup
• Sugar - 1/4 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Raisins and cashews - for garnish

Instructions to prepare this postpartum Indian food recipe

1. Wash and soak rice for 30 minutes.
2. In a pot, combine rice, coconut milk, milk, and sugar.
3. Cook over low heat until the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened.
4. Add cardamom powder and garnish with raisins and cashews.

Try Out These Easy Indian Confinement Recipes for New Mothers

As an Indian mother, embracing the confinement period with nourishing foods is a beautiful way to heal and bond with your newborn. These recipes not only support your recovery but also provide comfort and a sense of tradition during this special time. 

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We also have Halal confinement food recipes, tailored for new mums looking for Halal options to boost postpartum recovery. Enjoy these delicious dishes, and remember to take care of yourself—because a healthy mum means a happy baby! 

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Need extra support? Consider hiring a trained confinement nanny from NewBubs to help you rest and rejuvenate fully. Here’s to a wonderful recovery journey filled with love and nourishment.