In that night-slides-into-day postpartum haze, self-care has no doubt slipped to the rock bottom of the to-do list. But if there was ever a moment to book a personal time-out, this is it. And whether you're spooked by a Silly Putty tummy, hormones are wreaking havoc on your skin, or aches and pains are surfacing in places you never knew existed, a trip to a mom-centric day spa can work wonders.

Bouncing Back

"Just because you've had the baby doesn't mean you're back to normal," says Stacy Denney, owner of the Barefoot & Pregnant spa in Sausalito, California. "Your breasts are engorged, and hormones are raging. So it's important to work with therapists who understand what's going on. After birth, you're not as concerned with your own body because the baby is outside. You can actually end up injuring yourself," through general oveexertion and carrying your newborn to and fro.

A key focus with new-mom clients, says Denney, is the upper back. "That area gets the biggest workout, because now you're carrying the baby, the stroller, the car seat," she says. "We work on proper posture and alignment, and on alleviating muscle strain." To that end, Barefoot & Pregnant offers two specialized back massages: Back to Basics, customized to each client's specific aches and focusing on gentle healing; and Mother's Little Helper, aimed at moms who are already feeling the effects of lugging Junior around. The latter blends stretching with a thorough kneading of the back, neck, shoulders, arms, and wrists.

Denney says that some clients hightail it within weeks of giving birth. "It's about their own comfort level with leaving their newborn at home," she notes. "But we welcome babies, and we have had several moms take advantage of that."

Waist Land

At Cowshed, the chic, rough-hewn spa at New York City's SoHo House, babies are pretty much MIA. Which is likely just what their weary moms look forward to as they head out for the Mama Mio treatments offered there. While most were developed for pregnant clients, London-based Mama Mio has also created postpartum fixes based on its ER Emergency Repair Post Pregnancy range.

Incorporating a "tummy facial" and décolletage pampering, these treatments address the biggest post-pregnancy bummers: slack, crepey skin and stretch marks in the stomach and breast areas; pecs and arm muscles that are taxed from toting the tot around; and exhaustion and stress from endless sleepless nights.

But as with any postpartum spa treatment, patience is key—especially where the stomach is concerned. "These treatments are geared toward improving skin tone and texture," says Tanya Kazeminy Mackay, marketing director for Mama Mio. "You'll still have to do abdominal work. It's always about sit-ups after babies."

Clean Slate

At the Edamame flagship spa at Destination Maternity, in Manhattan, the postpartum offerings marry skin repair with stress reduction. For the after-baby body, the menu includes D-Age Firming Anti-Aging Body Treatment, which targets saggy skin with glycolic-acid serum; and Revitalizing Mud Treatment, which hydrates and boosts circulation with mud, algae, and essential oils.

For the face, Edamame offers two fixes: The European Green Clay Balancing Facial tackles hormone-induced blemishes, while the Absolute Pearl Facial lightens melasma (a.k.a. "the mask of pregnancy," or patches of darker skin linked to hormone shifts) with mulberry, licorice, and lemon. "Some women might be breaking out a lot after the baby, and the clay will help with excessive oil," says spa manager Holly Grunsell. "But most postpartum clients go with the Absolute Pearl, which gives a brightening effect."

As they zone out in the roomy cabins, some spagoers might experience their first me-time in months. "With all those doctor visits, our clients can start to feel a little abnormal," says Grunsell. "We just want them to feel welcomed and show them that they really do need to take time for themselves."