Mom buries placenta, waters it with breast milk as part of a traditional Balinese ritual

From pills to smoothies, post-partum moms throughout history have found unique second lives for their baby’s placenta.For Melbourne mom Jessica Patra, it was burying it in the backyard and watering it with her own breast milk.“I was literally squirting my milk onto the plant outside,” Patra told news.com.au.“[It] sounds odd … Even some of my friends, they were like, ‘You did what?’ … There’s lots of people that don’t understand it.”However, the symbolism behind the 43-year-old’s act is beautiful.Seven months ago, Patra welcomed her daughter Mia into the world, committing to protecting their health and basking in newborn bliss with a 42-day confinement.“During that 42-day period, I just really was just so present as a mom, learning her; she was learning me.It was just a very beautiful time,” she recalled.It was a strict boundary she set with plenty of notice.“I really created those boundaries with everyone before she was born to let them know that I will be in confinement and people essentially can’t come and see us,” she explained.“I’ve just heard so many horror stories from so many moms about having to clean the house or make sure that there’s drinks and food for people when they arrive.

I just can’t even imagine that.”She protected her spiritual wellbeing too.Inside a pot and beneath the roots of a juvenile frangipani plant, Patra planted her placenta as part of a traditional Balinese ritual.The sacred practice honours Kanda Empat, the four spiritual siblings who accompany, guard and protect a child throughout their life.“Every day I actually went out to her plant and would acknowledge her Kanda Empat and just say, ‘Please protect her, love and guide Mia throughout her journey,’” she explained.Family, including Patra’s father, would video call during the confinement to hold ceremonies for Mia with incense and offerings.The process taught her about something we rarely do, particularly in the first few weeks of...