Category: postpartum

My Top 5 Tips for Postpartum Recovery

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I’ve officially done it twice now. The first time hit me like a ton of bricks. The second time, I was more prepared, but had a different experience balancing being a toddler mom at the same time. I’m no expert, but I have definitely learned a few things about the postpartum stage along the way. Here, I am sharing my personal tips for everything postpartum. I hope they will help you as you prepare for this emotional and vulnerable period.

Disclosure: Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I truly find helpful and have used myself. As an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases.

5. Set Boundaries Early

Before you give birth, take some time to think about what kind of space and support you’ll need in those first few weeks. Who makes you feel calm? Who adds stress? It’s okay to be intentional about who enters your home and space during such a vulnerable time.

Well-meaning visitors can easily overwhelm you. It’s okay to say, “We’re not ready for visitors yet,” or “Please text before dropping by.” The most important things at this time are bonding with baby, and prioritizing your healing.

Express your boundaries clearly if you can. If you’re uncomfortable doing so, have your partner take the lead in communicating them. Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re gentle reminders of what you need to feel safe, rested, and supported.

4. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

With my first, I spent so much time creating the perfect baby registry. I researched every piece of baby gear, compared reviews, and had everything ready months before my due date. But what I didn’t do was put that same energy into preparing for myself — for postpartum.

I was stocked up on pads, Epsom salts, and nursing supplies, but I wasn’t nearly as organized or informed as I could’ve been. I didn’t realize how much recovery, rest, and emotional adjustment were waiting on the other side of birth.

Read up as much as you can about the transition your body is about to go through. Set up your nursing station with the same care you set up your baby’s changing station. If possible, designate one bathroom as your “postpartum washroom,” with all your recovery items in easy reach.

For my personal product recommendations, check out my list of Postpartum Essentials on Amazon (affiliate link).

A little preparation goes a long way, and future you will be so thankful you thought ahead.

3. Ask For and Accept Help

If someone offers to bring a meal, hold the baby while you shower, or fold a basket of laundry, say yes. You don’t get extra credit for doing it all on your own. Let people love you through action.

Sometimes it helps to be specific: “We’d love soup or freezer meals,” or “Can you walk the dog while I feed the baby?” Most people genuinely want to help, and they will gladly accept when you ask for something specific.

Better yet, set up help in advance. If there is someone you trust (a close friend or family member), have them come over at a set time once a week to give you a hand. Sign up for a grocery delivery service and/or a prepared meal delivery. I used Voila and Factor religiously for the first few months with my second baby. Hire a cleaner if you can afford to do so, even if it’s once a month. Think about what it is you will need, and be proactive with setting it up.

Fresh fruit was my biggest post-birth craving.

2. Fuel Your Body, Feed Your Mind

You’re still recovering, and maybe even feeding another human. Your body needs nourishment just as much as your baby does. Prioritize real food, hydration, and gentle movement over restriction.

Keep easy snacks where you nurse or rest (think protein bars, trail mix, fruit, energy bites, and anything else easy to grab). Drink lots of water, and honor your hunger cues. Now is not the time for cutting back or dieting. I remember feeling SO hungry postpartum (both times) especially while exclusively breastfeeding. Embrace it and allow your body to have what it needs. When you nourish yourself physically, it can help you feel better mentally.

For your mind, try incorporating something that feels natural to you. For me, it was 5 minute morning meditations using an app. It really allowed me to start the day with good vibes, no matter how tough the night was. Some other ideas are journaling, practicing gratitude, or FaceTiming a loved one.

1. Trust Your Instincts

Becoming a mom expanded me in so many ways. I felt as if my senses were heightened and my gut developed a sixth sense. It is true that a mom’s brain actually does change after birth, and I felt this. I can sense when something is off with my kids, even before there are obvious signs.

I’ve learned to trust my inner voice; it rarely steers me wrong. Even if I am wrong, the worst I can do is overreact and that doesn’t bother me one bit. You’ll get advice from everywhere (and everyone), but no one knows your baby like you do.

Bottom Line

The postpartum stage is raw, beautiful, and transformative. However it unfolds for you, please remember that you’re doing an incredible job.

If you want a little extra support, I created a Postpartum Recovery Checklist you can download and print at home — it’s everything I wish I’d known to have on hand the first time around. You can download and print it from my Etsy shop below. It’s a small resource made with a lot of love for new moms who want things to feel a bit easier. 🤍
→ Get the Postpartum Checklist on Etsy

Be gentle with yourself, mama. You’re growing right alongside your baby.

With love and realness,
Maya 🤍

The Dreaded Mastitis

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I was just over 3 months postpartum and finally – TRULY – starting to feel more myself and like things were becoming somewhat manageable. I was starting to exercise again, get out more, and feel less stressed out being at home alone with the baby. Things were looking up!

Enter mastitis. Just when things were getting good, they got really bad, really fast. And I say really fast because one of the characteristics of mastitis is that it can come on very suddenly, and for me it certainly did.

Exhausted, in pain, with a high fever… and feeding through it.

If you don’t know what mastitis is, it is an infection of the breast tissue which causes pain in the breast as well as flu-like symptoms. If you google it, you’ll find that about 10% of breastfeeding women will develop it at some point, but I suspect that number is on the low end. When I posted about my struggle with mastitis on my personal social media account, almost every single mom I knew reached out saying they had suffered from it at some point. (This is why 10% seems low to me). The doctor who I saw when I suspected it said it is extremely common amongst breastfeeding women. Apparently, simply because we are lactating, we are more susceptible to getting these types of infections.

Another important thing this doctor told me was that it was not my fault. If you google it, you will find all sorts of ways moms are shamed and blamed into thinking they somehow caused themselves to welcome this infection. From poor latching to not feeding or pumping often enough, the potential causes listed are numerous. This made me feel like a failure at breastfeeding and a bad mom for putting my baby through me being sick. Which is why I cried at the doctor’s office when he said it was absolutely not my fault, and he tells all women the same thing. Again – simply because we are lactating, means we are more susceptible to bacteria somehow entering our breasts, which can lead to infection.

Anyway, it was Wednesday morning when I noticed the smallest most insignificant pain in my left breast. The kind of pain that reminded me of doing one too many push-ups. I had recently started working out again so this could very well have been the reason. While the tiny pain lingered all day, I ignored it. It wasn’t until 8:30pm that night, while I was sitting on the couch watching TV, that I started shivering excessively and felt like I had the flu all of a sudden. I instinctually went to bed and just covered myself in as many blankets as I could. I could not stop shaking – it reminded me of the shakes I had while in labour. That night I sweat through the sheets, was freezing cold, literally could not get up (fiancé had to bring the baby to me for feedings), and my entire body ached. I could feel my left breast becoming harder and it felt hot to the touch. It got more and more painful throughout the night.

The next morning I self-diagnosed myself with mastitis after googling it and realizing I had every symptom. I went to see the doctor and he confirmed it was in fact mastitis. I was prescribed antibiotics, and I was so grateful for that. I’ve heard of women treating it naturally but I honestly don’t think I could have. It actually got so bad I didn’t think the antibiotics were working, but they do take 2-3 days to kick in. Mine took 3 days to show any signs of improvement. Actually, it did get a little worse before it got better. By day two of antibiotics I still had quite a high fever and the lump in my breast felt massive.

I was also very anxious because my milk supply seemed to be dwindling, especially on the infected side. I kept feeding my baby through it and I could tell he was sucking longer than normal to get the amount of milk he needed. Apparently nursing is the best cure, because it really works out the lump. I remember one night waking up with my nipple so engorged (it reminded me of a roasted marshmallow) and nothing relieved the pain. I tried pumping, a hot cloth, using a haaka… nothing worked. Finally my son woke up for a feeding and as soon as he was done, I felt so much better.

Have you heard of using cabbage leaves for relief?

I also tried cabbage leaves for temporary pain relief. They are also used for weaning so you have to be careful not to overuse them. Twenty minutes on, 3 times a day, is the most that is recommended while breastfeeding. I washed and dried a few leaves each time, and kept them super cold in the fridge. They were actually very relieving. I could feel the excess fluid sweating out of my breast, if that makes any sense. I envisioned the leaf pulling the infection out of me. I know it sounds crazy but this type of thinking is so important!

After 5 days I finally started feeling better. I had 7 days of antibiotics total so I gave myself that entire time to rest and heal even though I was feeling good. I wasn’t jumping straight back into exercising or doing too much.

If anything, mastitis reminded me to slow down. As a breastfeeding mom of a 3 month old, I am already so busy and usually physically exhausted. Breastfeeding (literally) takes a lot out of you! I think I was pushing myself too hard to do too much (counting my daily steps, doing HIIT rides on the Peloton 5 days a week, errands, cleaning…) – I sound nuts just writing this!

I was fortunate to have my Mother-In-Law come over for a couple days to watch the baby while I was sick. She kept the baby occupied in the other room while I napped and rested, and she brought him to me for feedings. She was a literal Godsend, because taking care of a baby while that sick is almost impossible. I know not everyone is as fortunate to have help on demand, but if you do have the offer, just take it. Whether it’s a mother, sister, friend or neighbour, just say yes and go to bed. It will make a huge difference in your recovery.

If you are suffering from mastitis, know you are not alone. Many have experienced it and have made it through, stronger on the other end. Seriously, there was a point where I felt like I was never going to get better. It’s really awful and it can be scary, but you WILL make it through after a tough few days. Take care of yourself ❤

My Battle With Postpartum Anxiety

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My struggle with postpartum anxiety began almost immediately after coming home from the hospital.

To be honest, I didn’t even know it was a thing. I had heard of Postpartum Depression and hoped I wouldn’t experience it. I never realized that there were so many different Postpartum Mood Disorders and what they encompassed.

My mind began racing the moment I got up in the morning, randomly throughout the day, and of course during those sleepless nights with a newborn. I wasn’t constantly anxious, but I was consistently overwhelmed and experiencing thoughts I never imagined could enter my head. Thoughts about my baby’s health and safety, how I would feel if something were to happen to him… and these weren’t just passing thoughts – they were very disturbing and graphic in my mind. I also felt like there was no way I could take care of him day and night, that somehow I wasn’t good enough (all while taking care of him day and night, being completely good enough). I couldn’t rationalize a lot of things and I put way too much pressure on myself as a new mom.

I remember this morning. I had put the baby down for a nap after trying ridiculously hard. The neighbours were doing renos and the noise that day was outrageous. Of course, Otto woke up shortly after and would not sleep. It all felt like too much.

Just to give you an idea of what was racing through my mind at any given time:

  • I’m not feeling well. Am I sick? What if I pass on a sickness to my baby
  • I’m so exhausted but I can’t nap. I don’t know how to. I don’t trust anyone else with him while I sleep.
  • What if something horrible happens to him? How will I go on?
  • I don’t feel like myself. Physically, mentally, emotionally … it’s not me.
  • I don’t want to see anyone. I don’t want any visitors and I definitely don’t want anyone touching him or holding him.
  • He’s so tiny and fragile. I have to be so careful.

It also manifested itself in other ways which I can identify now:

  • Recording every single feeding (for weeks) on a note in my phone. And I’m not talking generally, I mean every single time a feeding started and ended I would write down the exact time to the very minute. Day and night. I honestly don’t know what this was for or why I did it.
  • Sacrificing my well being for no reason. I barely showered and convinced myself that I had no time. Somehow taking care of myself meant I wasn’t taking care of the baby.
  • Feeling extremely lonely but also wanting to be alone. 

I felt like I couldn’t explain this to anyone and if I tried no one would understand. 

Anxiety is not obvious. Anyone looking at this photo would think I look totally fine. In reality, this was a very hard day and I was putting on a happy face.

My anxiety started Day 1 at home (after bringing home baby) and was severe for about 8 weeks. After that, it was still present and lingering but thankfully diminished quite a bit. Now, 3 months postpartum, I still have some of those intrusive and irrational thoughts but I am starting to feel less anxious and more myself. Instead of the anxiety being consistent, it comes in little spurts. I can identify when I’m feeling this way and know it will pass.

Looking back, I wish I had done more research on postpartum. I wish I had known that what I was experiencing was totally normal. I’m not sure if it would have changed anything, but maybe I would have been a little more equipped to accept and manage what I was going through.

If you are suffering from postpartum anxiety, I hope you will find comfort in knowing you are not alone. It will not last forever. I know it can feel like the world is crashing in on you and it will never get better, but I promise you it will. Soon, you will have a day that is somehow easier than it’s been before, and you will think to yourself, “I can do this!” – these days will slowly come more and more often until they eventually outnumber the difficult ones. You WILL start to feel more like yourself again, slowly but surely. Just take it one day, one hour, even one minute at a time. You will get through this.

xx Maya

The Mother is Born

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A friend of mine, who also happens to be a mom, explained something to me recently when I was telling her about my postpartum struggles and experience. I told her I didn’t quite feel like myself and that so much of me had changed, mind and body. She said, “When the baby was born, the mother was also born,” and nothing had ever made so much sense.

Moments after Otto was born!

We spend so much time preparing for baby while pregnant (which is absolutely necessary). Baby registry, baby shower, nursery Pinterest boards, actual nursery, buying clothes in every size and washing/folding them perfectly before baby arrives, baby baby baby! In my experience, I would say I spent one tenth of the amount of time and energy prepping for postpartum and becoming a mom, and that’s being generous. Most of that time was spent on making a hospital bag list (I didn’t even end up packing the bag cause my water broke early, but that’s another story!) and taking one 90 minute prenatal class devoted to postpartum care. In comparison, my baby registry had over 100 items on it. For every item, I googled studied blogs and watched YouTube videos so I could pick the best product in each category. I devoted hours to researching diaper pails and bottle sterilizers, and left myself in the dust.

Nobody really warns you what you’re in store for postpartum. I guess partially because every woman will experience it differently, and perhaps because no one wants to scare you. But I think it’s even more scary because we don’t talk about it all that much.

Postpartum – especially the first time – is the emergence of a new being known as mama (or mom, mommy, whatever you want to call her). Physically and emotionally, she is a new woman combined of bits and pieces of her old and new self. The thing is, the new self literally happens overnight. We take years and years developing ourselves and growing as individuals, but become mothers over a 24 hour period. We are expected to snap into this new role and carry on with life as usual, with our little additions. Except it isn’t that simple.

Besides the sleep deprivation, the physical pain and recovery, and the shifting hormones, all while taking care of a helpless newborn, the new mother must come to terms with her new identity:

  • A body that is softer and squishier.
  • Breasts that are full and sore and leak at any given moment.
  • Nipples that ache.
  • Tired eyes and dark circles.
  • Pyjamas, baggy clothes, messy hair.
  • Being responsible for another human’s life and well being.
  • Meeting all of the baby’s physical and emotional needs, all the time.
  • Putting the baby before herself in every single situation.

This all would take some time getting used to, but the problem is, there is no time! Like I said, we become moms overnight. That’s why we’re amazing. It’s difficult, but it’s also beautiful. It’s ok to mourn old parts of ourselves and want our free time. It’s ok to feel like it’s all too much. At the same time, we feel the deepest love and devotion for our babies.

So give yourself the chance to come into motherhood on your own terms. Don’t be fooled by unrealistic expectations and pressure. Realize how much you have been through in such a short amount of time, and be kind to yourself.

xx Maya