Emily Montague · The Postpartum Chef

Heal the first 28 days after birth.

The Sitting Month revives the 2,000-year-old zuo yuezi tradition — warming, nutrient-dense food that rebuilds a mother's body, restores her energy and eases postpartum depression. For moms. For the doulas and midwives who care for them.

Patent-backed method 2,000-year-old tradition Mother of five Rooted in nutrition science
Why The Sitting Month

The fourth trimester was never meant to be survived alone.

Around the world — la cuarentena, "doing the month," the sitting month — cultures have protected new mothers with rest and deeply nourishing food. The Sitting Month brings that wisdom to modern moms, backed by nutrition science.

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Rebuild the body

Warming, iron- and blood-building foods restore energy, replenish what birth depletes and support uterine healing and lochia recovery.

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Support milk & mood

Nutrient-dense meals help milk supply and deliver the vitamin D, omega-3, B12, zinc and folate research links to lower postpartum depression.

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Rest, protected

Day-by-day meal plans and teas remove the "what do I eat?" decision so a mother can do the one thing that matters most: rest and bond.

Emily Montague, mother of five and creator of The Sitting Month
Mom of 5
Emily Montague, The Postpartum Chef, in a boutique kitchen
The Postpartum Chef
Meet Emily

A chef, a mother of five, and the woman reviving the sitting month.

"Food was how I healed. Now it's how I help thousands of mothers heal too."

After five births, Emily rebuilt her own recovery around the warming foods of the sitting month — goji berries, red dates, ginger, longan and black sesame. What started as her own healing became a patent-backed method, a recovery course, and a certification that trains birth professionals to cook it.

Read Emily's Story
Two ways to work with Emily

For the mother healing — and the pro who cares for her.

Warming postpartum recovery meal by The Sitting Month

The Recovery Course

Emily's complete 28-day food-first recovery for new moms — day-by-day meal plans, videos, recipes and recovery teas. Separate plans for vaginal and cesarean birth.

Explore the Course →
Emily Montague cooking postpartum recovery food

Chef Certification

The first certification that trains doulas & midwives to cook for postpartum recovery. Three days, in person, max five at a time. Add a whole new offer to your practice.

Become Certified →
The Sitting Month medicinal recovery teas

Recovery Teas & Recipes

Signature medicinal teas and free warming recipes built for the fourth trimester — milk supply, iron, mood and gentle digestion.

Browse Recipes →
Real recovery stories

Mothers who healed differently

"I'm so grateful Emily introduced me to the Chinese Sitting Month. By preparing myself and my family for this special time of rest and excellent nutrition, I was able to help my body heal, and bond with my baby boy."

Camille Flemming · Mother of 5

"I want everybody to know about the 28-day Sitting Month. I think we need it, especially here in America. We need a support system. We need to ask for help."

Brittany · Mother of 5

"The Chinese Sitting Month gave me permission to take care of myself, to nurture myself, and to heal myself in ways I've never done before."

Liz · Mother of 7
As seen & shared

Featured & trusted

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Ready to nourish your recovery?

Text Emily directly and she'll help you choose the right path — the recovery course, teas, or chef certification.

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