Before I get into everything, I just want to say the obvious – I adore being a mom. I adore my baby boy. It’s truly been the best, most joy-filled season of my life… but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t also hard, new, and a little crazy. That’s what I’m sharing in this post.

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I thought I had done everything “right.” I read the books. I prepped the meals. I knew postpartum was going to be a time of healing, rest, and adjustment… but still, nothing truly prepares you for how raw, sacred, and humbling this season is.

You can’t plan for the way your heart cracks open with this crazy love
Or how everything…your body, your schedule, your relationships, your sense of self… shifts overnight.

So this isn’t a checklist. This isn’t another “bounce back” blog.
This is just one mama, sharing what I’ve learned… the things I wish I knew, the gentle ways I supported my body and mind, and the reminder that… you are not alone.

What I Wish I Knew:

I read The First Forty Days, and I knew I should be resting. But there I was , Day 2 , cleaning…ugh… I remember thinking, “Why am I doing this?”😂

Why? I don’t know. Maybe to feel in control. Maybe because I didn’t want to ask for help. Maybe because no one told me how loud the urge to do would still be, even when your body is begging you to just be.

Let yourself rest.
More than you think you need.
Even when your mind is racing.
Even when the house feels messy. It can wait
Even when you’re physically “cleared.”

You literally have a giant wound in your uterus where your placenta was. It takes time to heal , and rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Ask for Help (Yes, Really)

Asking for help isn’t weakness … it’s wisdom. It’s strength.
You weren’t meant to mother in isolation.

I prepped meals during pregnancy, and I still needed so much help.
There were days I couldn’t even feed myself. My arms were full, my brain was foggy, and I just… couldn’t.
Nathan stepped in so much. My sisters were always just a text away. My community was INCREDIBLE with creating a meal train and asking what i needed from the store. Nathan and i felt so loved

That support … emotional, physical, spiritual … carried me.

If you don’t have someone to lean on, let someone in. Even a counselor. Ask. Receive.
You deserve it. You need it. And it’s okay.

Emotional Healing Is Part of It

I cried. A lot. Not really because I was grieving my “past life” or upset about how my appearance had changed – I cried for what felt like no reason at all. I cried because I loved my baby so much it overwhelmed me. I cried because I was scared of what was happening in my body. I googled everything. I panicked over things I didn’t understand.

There were moments when I truly thought something was wrong with my body – or my mind. I went to multiple appointments and scans just to make sure everything was okay. I worried I had prolapse. Honestly, I had this constant fear that something might just… fall out. Not because I felt extreme pressure, but because the fear was so real and so new, and I didn’t fully understand what was happening in my body.

I think in the moment, you just adapt and tell yourself, “Everything’s okay. I’m totally fine.” At least that’s what I did. I tend to push through and keep going. But deep down, I was feeling fears I didn’t want to admit out loud.

Your hormones are shifting dramatically. You’re learning how to care for a new human. You’re adjusting to a body that’s new. You’re navigating fears you never had before.
You are meeting a brand-new version of yourself.
And yes … it’s beautiful.
But it’s also heavy.
You can be wildly grateful and still overwhelmed.
You can feel joy and grief in the same breath.
You can feel strong… and still struggle. That’s real.

Easing Back Into Movement (Gently)

I was so excited to get back to working out.
So at 6 weeks postpartum, as soon as I was cleared, I did.
And then… I started bleeding again…for WEEKS.
It scared me. And it set me back. And it reminded me – just because you’re cleared doesn’t mean you’re fully healed.

• Start with pelvic floor work: breathing, gentle core activation, and kegels (yes, even in week one)
• Prioritize walking: gentle movement, fresh air, sunshine – it’s incredibly healing
• Wear a belly wrap: this helped support my core, organs, and posture
• Ease into workouts slowly: I started with 3 days/week around 12 weeks pp, and didn’t build up to 4–5 until i felt ready

My current rhythm 6 months pp is a mix of strength training, HIIT, and one fun movement day -surfing, biking, swimming, or a run if I feel up to it.

There is no rush.
Your body knows how to heal. Trust it.

Nourishment = Recovery

I ate more than I thought I needed , and I’m glad I did.
Your body is recovering and maybe you are possibly breastfeeding. That takes fuel too.

Here’s what helped:

• I tracked my macros for a few weeks just to make sure I wasn’t undereating. But if you’re not already familiar with how to do that, postpartum probably isn’t the best time to figure it out – unless you have a coach guiding you through it and helping take the guesswork out. (that’s also what we do if you need help btw)
• Prepped meals during pregnancy
• Kept snacks everywhere
• Asked for help with food when I couldn’t make it happen
• Drank tons of water
• Took prenatals and all my supplements – don’t stop your supplements!

Food is medicine. And postpartum is not the time to restrict – it’s time to nourish deeply.

Sleep Like It’s Your Job

I know what you’re thinking. “Sleep? Ha. That’s cute.”

But it’s one of the most powerful ways to heal – physically and emotionally.
I remember panicking in those early days because I literally couldn’t sleep. My nervous system was in overdrive.

What helped me most?

• Going to bed at 7 PM when the baby did (especially in the first few months)
• Nathan took the early morning shift (he would grab the baby around 5 so I could sleep a little longer). He still does this for me ❤️
• Creating slow, quiet mornings for myself – game changer
• I took rescue remedy and magnesium glycinate, and it helped me settle a lot

Now I stay up later (around 9:30) to get some qt with Nathan, but when I need it… I still go to bed with my baby.

Your Environment + Community Matter

I got outside every single day.
It helped my mood, my energy, my healing …literally everything.

Nathan and I laugh because we go outside way more now that we have a baby. We crave it. It keeps us grounded.

We also lean on community so much more. I surrounded myself with faith-filled women who love and support so well. All moms mother and parent differently – but to find moms who love without judgment in spite of our differences. That’s the kind of tribe you want!

Mom shame? No, thank you.

If someone makes you feel “less than,” walk away.
It happened to me a few times, not from close friends, thankfully, but from mom acquaintances , and it was wild to witness in real life. One time, I was still in the super early postpartum stage, and I just sobbed afterward. Being judged or shamed when you’re at your most vulnerable and doing your best? That’s one of the lowest things someone can do to a new mom.

It’s happened a few more times since, and now… I feel a fire in me. I feel confident in how I parent. I won’t let it slide anymore. If I need to call it out, I will … with love, but with truth.

There’s a big difference between helpful support and passive-aggressive comments. I’m all for “Hey, that diaper goes like this” , that’s safety and kindness. But saying something sharp or condescending to a new mom’s face? No. Just no.

Nathan and I talked about it, and we really believe it comes from a place of insecurity. Every mom wants to be intentional in how she parents , and when someone feels unsure of their own choices, it’s easier to criticize others.

So here’s my advice: Confront it if you need to. But also protect your peace. Step back. Set boundaries. You do not have to stay in spaces where you feel judged.

This season is hard enough without comparison or judgment. Other moms should be lifting you up!

Body Image After Baby

Let’s talk about the saggy stomach. The stretch marks. The lost muscle.
I worked hard to get strong before pregnancy and keep strong during pregnancy. So seeing my body change again…

It’s humbling. It really is.

Especially when you get back into working out

But here’s what I kept coming back to:
My body knew how to grow a baby. It knows how to heal too if i give it time.

And I’ve truly never been prouder of it.

Yes, I had bad body image days but I also felt so much gratitude. And that helped me not stress about rushing back to anything.

And to the people who say “your body will never be the same”… I say:
Maybe not. But you can be stronger in every way – physically, mentally, emotionally.

You already are stronger.
You literally brought life into the world.

Final Thoughts (From One Mama to Another)

• You don’t have to love every second. Just don’t do it alone.
• Communicate your emotions with someone safe … your spouse, your sister, your best friend.
• Take 5 minutes a day for you – journal, pray, breathe, cry.
• You’re not broken. You’re becoming.

You are not alone in this season.
You are not behind.
You are not “too much” or “too emotional.”
You are healing, transforming, and doing something sacred.

If you’re in the thick of it … I see you.
And I’m cheering for you.