Many parents know the feeling: You can prepare as much as possible, read all the books, and still feel completely overwhelmed when it comes to taking care of a newborn. But imagine if, instead of being sent home from the hospital and left to your own devices, you head to an upscale hotel and are greeted by a team of professionals who guide you through the early days of postpartum life, helping you recover, physically and mentally, and equipping you for what life as a parent will entail. It works in other countries, like South Korea, where postpartum facilities called Sanhujoriwon are commonplace. These centers, and her own stressful postpartum experience, inspired Georgetown business school graduate Julia Kim to found Sanu, a postnatal retreat now open at the Watermark Hotel in Tysons.
“First and foremost, we take care of the mother in her recovery,” says Kim, emphasizing the importance of self-care. “Your body has to recover too.” Sanu’s hotel setting is key, Kim says, as it helps the decision-making moms are faced with at home to melt away. A staff of professional, experienced caregivers is on hand 24/7 to take care of mother and baby, and parenting partners and other children are welcome to stay at the hotel too. Nutritious meals are provided throughout the day, and hands-on training is available “to build and internalize baby and self-care routines and habits that I didn’t have.”
Mental health and physical wellness services at Sanu go beyond simple assessments. Strategy sessions for mom and partner, Kim says, can help smooth out any relationship issues that may arise with new parenthood. Visits with an OBGYN are provided free of charge, so moms don’t have to wait six weeks for a postpartum checkup. Other onsite experts include certified lactation consultants and pediatricians. All services are evidence-based and doctor-developed.
Kim recommends a minimum stay of three nights — starting at $880 a night with the price decreasing per night with additional days. Some parents have stayed as long as 12 weeks. “One of the major things I worry about is access to care,” Kim says. “The plan is, over time, to do whatever we have to do to make it more accessible.”
To learn more about Sanu, visit sanupostpartum.com, or follow Sanu on Instagram, @sanupostpartumcare.
“First and foremost, we take care of the mother in her recovery” - Julia Kim