How to Adjust to Motherhood (By Getting the Postpartum Support You Need!) 

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8 minute read

Early motherhood/parenthood is a magical, but also challenging time. Caring for your newborn 24/7…physically, mentally and emotionally healing from giving birth…all while adapting to your new role as a caregiver and to your new identity as a parent…is a LOT!   

There may be moments when you feel like you’re struggling…that you’re alone…or you don’t know where to turn to for help. 

Are you wondering how you’ll cope as a new mom/birthing person? We’ve been there! Whether you are a first time parent, or adding to your family, we are here for you. 

After guiding thousands of families through one of the most magical and exciting times of your life, we’re excited to share 7 tried and true tips to help you adjust to new motherhood/parenthood. 

Read on to learn how to have a smooth transition to motherhood/parenthood, so you can enjoy each of those precious moments with your new baby! 

1. Give Your Body Time to Heal Physically

From having an extended period, to night sweats, soreness and fatigue… There are so many physical changes that your body is going through in the postpartum period: 

  • Your uterus is shrinking from the size of a dinner plate back down to it’s original pear-size;
  • Your organs are returning to their pre-baby positions;
  • Even your brain chemistry is changing to focus on caring for your baby;
  • You will start to make milk for your baby;
  • You may sweat (a lot!) and have vaginal discharge for weeks;
  • Your vagina, and possibly your abdomen, are recovering from the physical act of birth;
  • And your hormones are changing like crazy! 

It can take 6-8 weeks for your body to start feeling “back to normal.” And it may take even longer to feel fully physically healed and ready to resume activities that you enjoyed before you were pregnant. 

Knowing about the postpartum changes you can expect along with the postpartum recovery essentials you’ll want to have on hand will help to expedite your recovery!

But the most important thing is to take things slow. At first you may want to avoid stairs, lifting heavy objects, or activities that increase your bleeding. Walking is a great way to not only get out of the house for a few minutes, but to strengthen your body as it heals. 

2. Don’t Run From Your Feelings

The day your baby is born, YOU are also born as a parent. This is one of the biggest transformations you will experience throughout your life. 

You may not have time for the activities you enjoyed before becoming a parent…

You may be struggling to adjust to your post-baby body…or feel like your hormones are all over the place…

Your relationship may take a hit as you and your partner adapt to your new roles and shifting family dynamics…

These feelings may lead you to think: “Who am I now?”

And that’s ok! Adjusting to parenthood can take some time. And over 90 percent of new mothers will have sad, scary, or unexpected thoughts about their baby and themselves. 

But it’s important to acknowledge the feelings that you’re feeling. Don’t stuff them down in hopes that they’ll work themselves out. Sit with them. Speak them out loud to your partner or a close friend or other parents at a postpartum support group. 

Remember that you are the perfect parent for your baby (and that doesn’t mean you have to be perfect all the time!). Give yourself the time, space, and permission to process the feelings and changes that you’re experiencing. 

3. Rest and Sleep As Much as Possible

It’s no surprise that it can be difficult to get the rest you need in those early weeks with your new baby. 

And while most new parents realize that you probably won’t be getting 8 hours of sleep for a few weeks… Waking up every 3 hours (or even more often!) to feed, change, or comfort your newborn can be quite the reality check. 

It can also be super tempting to use your baby’s naps to be “productive…” Starting a load of laundry, washing the dishes that have piled up in the sink, or straightening up the house for visitors. 

But when you’re already sleep deprived, constantly prioritizing your baby’s needs before your own, or choosing household chores over self care, can quickly lead to burnout and exhaustion. 

That’s why it’s so important to take care of yourself and actually choose to rest…instead of tackling the million things on your to-do list. 

Maybe that means taking a cat nap while your baby is napping…

Or going to bed at 8 p.m. instead of your usual 10 p.m. 

By getting the sleep you need, you will help your body heal more quickly after birth and be more physically and emotionally able to care for your little one’s needs. 

4. Eat Healthy Meals and Stay Hydrated

After 9 long months of watching your diet and avoiding certain foods, eating a healthy diet may be the last thing that you want to hear when you’re recovering during the postpartum period.  

It can be tempting to place a quick GrubHub order, have your partner run out to pick up take-out, or nosh on sweet, sugary snacks… Like that delicious pint of Ben & Jerrys in the freezer…

And like many new parents, you may be so tired or busy that food isn’t prioritized…or gets forgotten altogether. 

But your body needs time to recover during the postpartum period. And eating warm, nourishing foods will help your body to heal. 

That’s why it’s important to eat healing soups, replenishing meals and hearty snacks. Keep your body warm to speed up your healing by enjoying a cozy cup of Peaceful Tea or Periodic Tea.  

And remember that if you’re chest/breastfeeding you’ll need an extra 300-400 calories a day. To boost your milk supply, try Legendairy Milkapalooza Lactation Support designed to optimize healthy lactation and enhance the nutrition of your milk. 

Or maybe consider incorporating a supplement into your diet during the 4th trimester to make sure you get all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. We love Boobie’s products like their Hydromom superfood electrolyte drink mix, gummy Boobie bears, and Superfood for Supermoms yummy shakes.

5. Let Go of Being ‘Perfect’

Having a baby changes a LOT. 

Your living room may look like a tornado recently whipped through… 

You may have trouble focusing, recalling where you put your hairbrush, or forming a coherent thought (yes, ‘mommy brain’ is a real phenomenon!)…

Or find yourself tempted to compare yourself to your other mom friends that “bounced back” right after having a baby, are able to get out of the house with ease, or are already jet setting around the country with their new baby in tow… 

As parents in the modern world, we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards:

To keep climbing the corporate ladder, have the perfect work-life balance, foster a beautiful relationship with your partner, to raise kind and amazing children, go on exciting vacations, and keep a cozy and inviting home… All while making time for self-care, hobbies that you enjoy, and time with family, friends, and loved ones. 

But trying to be perfect and keep up with ‘all the things’ can be exhausting! 

And the truth is that you don’t have to be perfect. Just be yourself! You are already the perfect partner and parent that your family needs. 

It’s ok to make mistakes or even to fail every once in a while. Be kind to yourself during this time and remember that you are learning as you go. 

And if you’re struggling with parent-guilt, anxiousness, anxiety, or feeling stressed… Take a few moments today just for you. Maybe that’s soaking in a hot bath to soothe your sore muscles, taking a few minutes to cozy up with a good book, or attending a helpful class designed to support you and your needs right now.  

6. Build Your Support Network (And Ask for Help!)

Once your new baby arrives, it’s normal to hunker down as you adjust to life as a family of 3 (or 4 or 5!). But staying connected to your support network and community is an important part of the recovery process. 

So many new parents feel like something’s missing or off… But maybe the truth is that we’re missing each other (more on that in this wonderful book Mothers of the Village). 

You’ve probably heard that it takes a village to raise a child. And even though our “villages” look a little different these days… it’s still so important to gather people around you that are excited about this big change in your life and want to be there to support you along the way. 

Have you identified who is in your village? 

Your support network may be family that live in town, your next door neighbor, trusted friends, or coworkers. Or it could also be a family member that lives in another state, an old college roommate who now lives overseas, or a dear friend that you met on a social media platform. 

If you want a few days before you accept any visitors, that’s ok! Enjoy those first few days and early weeks with your little one. There will be plenty of time to introduce your sweet babe to the world!

But remember that your village is there to help you when you need it! Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, your community of support will most likely be glad that you reached out to them!

Maybe that’s asking a friend to swing by to drop off a meal or pick up your groceries… Or giving your mom a quick video call to vent about the mundane or difficult moments during your day…

Reaching out may be just the thing to boost your mood and get the support you and your family need.

7. Keep Baby Care Simple

There are SO many new things to learn when it comes to taking care of a baby. From diapering, feeding, washing, and clothing your little one, to navigating reflux, colds, and upset tummies…the learning curve is steep. 

Wouldn’t it be amazing if babies came with a manual?

The good news is that your parenting instincts will kick in and lead you in the right direction (most of the time!). But it can also help to take a parenting class or two to help you learn the essentials so that you can know what to expect. 

Learning your baby’s schedule and needs during the first few weeks is hard enough! Give yourself some grace and stick with the essentials. 

Wondering what the essentials are? Check out our Newborn Care class, Breastfeeding 101, Cloth Diapering 101, and Infant & Child Safety class which are popular among expecting and new parents. 

Bonus Tip: Prepare for Your Postpartum Period

If you’re still pregnant, this bonus tip is for you! 

You’ve probably spent months decorating and preparing your nursery…writing your birth plan and learning coping techniques…

…but have you prepared for your postpartum period? 

Even if you’re 39 weeks pregnant, there’s still time to prepare for life once your baby arrives: 

Take advantage of the time that you have to prepare now. Once your baby arrives, you’ll be living from moment to moment and won’t have as much time to prepare. The small actions you take today will help create a smoother and more enjoyable postpartum experience later! Trust us, your future self will thank you!

Shop for Postpartum Kit Supplies: 

Shop our amazing selection of postpartum products online or in person at the Babies in Bloom Boutique. We’ve carefully chosen products that are favorites of new moms/birthing people to help you have a smooth postpartum recovery. 

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