Now it is also possible to experience the ritual of sauna bathing for newborns under the guidance of experienced doulas at Saules Pirts. Sauna bathing is a ritual performed for the newborn in a warm sauna. During the ritual, the baby is bathed and gently massaged. This massage is called 'saru dzīšana' and is part of the sauna bathing ritual. Special attention is also given to the new mother during the ritual, as this is a moment when the mother and baby are spiritually separated. The mother experiences a gentle massage and the touch of sauna birch branches in the sauna, and can also discuss everything that has accumulated on her heart with the doula – how the waiting period went, the birth, and the first days together with the baby; the mother can share her feelings, letting go of everything unnecessary. This is a moment when the new mother becomes a woman again, loved and cherished, not just the home of a little person. Usually, the ritual involves the mother, father, newborn, and the doula who leads the ritual. You can read more about the sauna bathing ritual and get to know the doulas at Saules Pirts here: Sauna experiences
Mother Sabīne shares her experience about sauna bathing at Saules Pirts:
How we bathed our little daughter!
Hello dear mothers.
Now the day has come when I am ready to share my experience of how we bathed our little daughter.
I am a person who is open to everything new and unusual, and I believe that everything new is well-forgotten old. Therefore, when I first learned about the procedure called 'saru dzīšana', I was very interested. During my pregnancy, I attended exercise classes with doula Katrīna Puriņa at the Mothers' Club, where we not only took care of our bodies but also gained a lot of valuable information about pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care. We were also told about 'saru dzīšana'.
Previously, I did not know that something like this could happen to a child, and that there is such a wonderful ritual after childbirth that helps the mother and baby better adapt to life without each other, as well as helps the baby to be calmer.
'Saru dzīšana' is one of the components of the ancient Latvian sauna bathing ritual. http://www.starkaligzda.lv/?textid=5&cat=152 The ritual itself is very emotional and dear, but after gathering all the information I found about it, dismissing all doubts about the ritual's mysticism, etc., I concluded that it would definitely benefit the little one. It is said that children who have undergone 'saru dzīšana' are calmer and healthier. Isn't that what we want for our child?
I knew immediately who to entrust this delicate matter to – of course, to doula Katrīna Puriņa. Although she did not participate in the birth, we managed to get to know each other better during the pregnancy. I wanted to entrust such an intimate procedure to a familiar and pleasant person.
When the little one was born, we immediately arranged the necessary date; Katrīna helped us find a suitable sauna, as we did not have our own. Together with the filming group from the Mothers' Club, who are also familiar people to me, we went to Saules Pirts, which is very cozy and seems to be the most ideal for such a special moment. Saules Pirts
We liked the sauna so much that we decided to definitely come back later when Amīna could be entrusted to her grandparents. The sauna master Viesturs was very hospitable to us and did everything to make us and the baby feel comfortable. The sauna itself was very special; you can feel that the owner has put his whole soul into it, with aromatic herbs, candles, relaxing music, tea... Everything for your well-being.
When both the little one and I were ready, the sauna bathing ritual began. First, we brewed herbs outside that were collected in the summer, and while the herbal brew was preparing, we could talk about current topics for me.
Later, over aromatic tea in the cozy Saules Pirts, we discussed my pregnancy and childbirth experience. There were positive moments, as well as things I wanted to forgive and let go of. As is known, it is extremely important for women to talk about their emotions, so it is so nice that within the framework of this ritual, there is an opportunity to discuss with a doula, for whom childbirth is not something to be shy about talking about.
Then it was time to bathe the little one. The sauna master Viesturs heated the sauna to 40 degrees, which is the optimal temperature for the newborn and the new mother. We filled the bathing tub with herbal brew that was warm at 37 degrees. But we added not only herbs to the water. For beauty, we added rose petals so that she would grow as beautiful as a rose. To ensure the little one is healthy and well-fed, we placed a silver spoon and a piece of rye bread in the water. Then doula Katrīna bathed the baby. After that, Amīna's father and I also bathed her. Then we poured water over her little chest, expressing our wishes. This part of the ritual is very dear and emotional.
When the bathing was over, we began the 'saru dzīšana'. The little one was put to the breast, and from the other breast, I gave warm milk to Katrīna, with which she massaged Amīna. The little girl was quite calm and allowed the procedure; only after about 20 minutes did she start to cry a little because she was trying to fall asleep, and when she finally fell asleep, we could continue our work peacefully.
When the 'saru' started to come out, we were all shocked – it really is the truth; my husband doubted until the very end that something like this could come out of a child. For Amīna, they were mostly white and gray, but sharp, like little hedgehog needles.
The entire procedure in the sauna lasted about 1.5 hours, maybe more, maybe less; I wasn't really keeping track of the clock. But I was a bit tired, while Amīna, on the other hand, was quite peacefully dozing.
After the baby was bathed, we wrapped her in a warm towel and handed her to her happy father, while I could enjoy a gentle birch branch massage (rather stroking) and a special belly massage, thanking the uterus for a job well done. At that moment, I physically felt how the uterus contracted, and that now my daughter and I are very dear to each other, but separate individuals.
When we came out of the sauna, I felt so relaxed and happy like never before. My daughter was peacefully dozing in her father's arms. We had another cup of herbal tea, which the sauna master Viesturs specially selected for us; if I'm not mistaken, it was tea for women's health. We also discussed our feelings after the ritual was performed.
When everything was over, and the doula and filming crew went home, sauna master Viesturs allowed us to calmly and unhurriedly get dressed, take a shower, etc. I really appreciated this moment because it was already late evening, but no one rushed us. Such a cozy reception made us feel not like clients receiving a service, but like beloved expected guests. I will never forget such moments, so I would definitely recommend Saules Pirts and sauna master Viesturs to all mothers who want to perform the sauna bathing ritual or simply go to relax in the sauna with their husbands. But I would definitely recommend entrusting the 'saru dzīšana' procedure to doula Katrīna Puriņa; it is so easy and pleasant to share this special moment with her.
After the 'saru dzīšana' ritual, little Amīna, after eating late in the evening, slept through the whole night. The remaining 'saru' fell off within three days, with a little oil applied after the evening bathing.
Even now, my daughter is quite calm, not crying unnecessarily, only if she asks for the breast or if her tummy happens to hurt, but compared to her brother, who had nothing like this done, she is definitely a much calmer child. Maksimiliāns was very whiny until he was 3 months old; maybe his tummy hurt, maybe it was because the pregnancy was different, but maybe also because we did not perform 'saru dzīšana' for him; who knows, but I am very happy that during my pregnancy I gained such information, and we decided to perform the 'saru dzīšana' ritual. I recommend it to you as well.
Once again, I sincerely thank doula Katrīna Puriņa, the Mothers' Club, and sauna master Viesturs at Saules Pirts for making our family happier.
Wishing you all the best –
Sabīne – mother of Maksimiliāns and Amīna
http://www.maminuklubs.lv/jaundzimusais/sabine-ka-mes-meitinai-sarinus-dzinam-238881/print/