MOTHER MUSE | Olivia Towning

Olivia is a naturopath, birth and postpartum doula devoted to supporting women and new mothers through the transformative experience of matrescence.

Her integrated approach weaves together natural medicine with hands-on practical care. From birth preparation and postpartum support to emotional guidance, newborn care, nutrition and herbal remedies, Olivia offers holistic support grounded in knowledge, nurturance and deep reverence for this season of life.

We chat with Olivia about all things motherhood, her favourite nourishing meals and how in between caring for others she makes space to care for herself.

What do you love most about looking after women?

Holding space for women feels meaningful to me. Women carry so much, and often silently. I love being someone who asks nothing of them, just there to offer support and care. As a naturopath, I love when women become curious about their bodies, their cycles, their symptoms, and their inner world.

What do you wish would be normalised during motherhood?

Matrescence, the process of becoming a mother, is a profound physiological and emotional transformation that reweaves a woman from the inside out. I wish it were normalised that mothers require deep nourishment, rest, support and community, not as a luxury but as a foundation for wellbeing.

I understand a big part of how you tend to mothers in early postpartum is through food. Why is food so important during postpartum?

Gestating and birthing a baby is the most nutritionally demanding task in a woman's lifetime, alongside breastfeeding. Nutrients are transferred to the baby through pregnancy and continue at a rapid pace in mothers who breastfeed. Plenty of nutrients are needed for healing from childbirth (especially if there are perineal tears or surgical wounds), to account for blood loss, to support uterine remodeling as it shrinks back to pre pregnancy size, and to support connective tissue and skin elasticity. First foods post birth nourish tissues, balance hormones, encourage an abundant milk supply, ground the nervous system, build blood, and replenish fluids and nutrients. Foods for a new mother
should always be warm in nature, warm in temperature, easy to digest and nutrient dense.

What are your go-to meals you cook during the postpartum phase?

I cook an abundance of soups, stews, braised meat on the bone, porridges with stewed fruits and congees. This season clients have been loving nepalese spiced rice pudding, tamari braised beef ribs with congee and greens, shepards pie with hidden liver, golden milk, jujube goji berry and chicken soup, stewed seasonal fruit with custard, hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, and chicken broth with seaweed and herbs.

What are three things you think all women should be doing for their health?

Spend time with your nearest and dearest, nurture those relationships.
Cooking most of your meals at home. Eat consistent meals and eat enough, because so many women run on too little without realising it.

You care so much for other women but how do you care for yourself? Do you have any must have rituals to help set your day up for success?

I get outside first thing, a walk or an outdoor class and let the morning light bathe me. Then I come home to make eggs, have coffee and write a simple to do list to set the tone of the day.

On a Sunday afternoon, what are the essentials you will be cooking for yourself so that your fridge is stocked for the week with nourishment.

I love to make a big pot of soup or beans, slow cook some meat on the bone, roast some vegetables, stew some fruit to have with sheep or goat yoghurt, and make granola!

What wellness hack has made the biggest improvement to your life in the last 5 years?

Nervous system regulation and getting morning sunlight.

You can follow Olivia here. Her recipes are incredibly nourishing and delicious