In some cultures it is traditional to henna a woman’s feet after she has had a baby.

This wonderful tradition keeps her from getting up to resume housework (due to having to sit still for the henna to go on, then sit some more while the henna dries), and therefore allows her to rest and bond with her baby. It will also give her comfort knowing that she is cared for while relatives and friends help cook, clean and look after older children.

On top of all that, it will make the new mother feel pretty again, after all it will have been a while since she could see her feet properly!

It is said that the countries that have these traditions, also have lower rates of postpartum depression (India, North Africa and the Middle East).

If you would like to read up on this further, click on this link for a full article on the functions of childbirth and postpartum henna traditions, by Catherine Cartwright Jones http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/pregbirth/postpart.pdf