Tag: new mom tips

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 🤍

Transition From 1 to 2 Kids

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Update: We had our second baby in January of 2024! In this post I’m going to get real about how our transition has been from one to two kids. It’s been almost 2 years now since we welcomed Enzo, and here is how it’s going…

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally recommend and use in my own motherhood journey. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Enter Enzo

With Otto, everything felt brand new and a little fragile, like I might break the “rules” if I didn’t follow every wake window to the minute. With Enzo, I didn’t have the luxury of obsessing over the tiny details. Big bro still needed breakfast (and countless snacks), to get dressed for school, and someone to find his missing LEGO character.

Enzo arrived, and our family slowly transformed into a new shape. Not overnight (nothing ever does), but in that slow, steady way where one morning you realize the baby is smiling at his brother and you honestly can’t remember what the house sounded like without two sets of footsteps.

The Newborn Phase (Experience Helps)

Second time around, I wasn’t Googling every grunt or hiccup. I knew the difference between “fussy” and “overtired,” and I had a postpartum toolkit (products (paid link), a plan, knowing what to expect), that was already broken in. I’d done this body shift before (the soft middle, the night sweats, the nursing marathons). I had the baby gear, the nipple balm (paid link), and the snacks hidden in the nightstand.

It wasn’t effortless, but it was familiar. I’m not saying it was easier because it definitely was not; I was simply more comfortable with the challenges and more prepared for them. I could feed, burp, swaddle, and still remember to eat breakfast and prioritize showering.

You know how they say the second time around you kind of slow down and “enjoy” it more? Ah, but it’s true! I know how fast it goes by. It’s like you blink and baby is blowing out his first birthday candle. I made sure to breathe in that newborn scent more, and to appreciate the beauty of that stage. Sometimes, it was hard to do between being spit up on and not sleeping, but overall, having that mindset made things more positive for me.

Finally understand what “hands full heart full” means🥹

The First Few Months: Why 1 to 2 Felt Easier Than 0 to 1 (for me)

Going from no kids to one baby felt like jumping off a cliff and learning to fly mid-air. Going from one to two was more like adding a new lane to a road I was already driving. With Otto, I had zero idea what to expect. I prepared by researching baby products and creating an epic baby registry. For Enzo, I prepared by reading parenting books, attending couples’ therapy with my fiancé, and creating a plan for support. I set up a weekly meal delivery service with prepared foods for my lunches, and had groceries delivered to the door.

We developed a rhythm. We knew nights would be long and mornings would still come. We knew what kind of help actually helps, and to accept it when we get the offer. Something hard for me was learning to ask for help (I still have trouble) but this sort of forced me into it. And I’m glad.

A (Somewhat) Different Kind of Mom

People told me I’d loosen up with baby #2. I didn’t believe them, but I do now.

Screens? With Otto, I was all rules. With Enzo… let’s say Ms. Rachel made a few early cameos. Sugar? I delayed it the first time. The second time, it turns out little brothers can see cupcakes and ice cream. I don’t know if I am embarrassed or proud that Enzo’s first word was “cookie” (yes, it’s 100% true).

I learned about BALANCE. As an all or nothing type of person, this had been a big change for me, but I am embracing it.

Naps happened in the stroller, the car, the carrier, and I wasn’t stressed by this. I didn’t log every feed to the minute in my notes app. Bedtime is between 7 and 8 for the boys (but not a hard 7, like it was with just Otto). With one, it’s easier to be on a strict schedule (if you choose to). With two, flexibility forces its way in. It was uncomfortable for me at first, because I love structure and predictability. But I think the second time around it was kind of like watching my past self through a new lens. I realized that I had done this once already, and we are still standing. So whatever happens this time, I know we will figure it out.

Plot Twist: It Got Harder🥲

Things got more difficult when Enzo started moving. Two boys, both mobile, both going in different directions at the same time. Enzo always one split second away from grabbing something that could cause injury. That was my, “Ohhh, this is the part people talk about” moment. Chasing a toddler while negotiating with a preschooler is a sport no one televised but all parents should medal in.

Another thing that totally surprised me was just how obsessed Enzo would be with his older brother. Everything Otto does, Enzo wants to do. He copies everything he says, which is great sometimes, but not always. Otto plays with LEGO, while Enzo tries to put it in his mouth. Otto gets to ride in the car facing forward, while Enzo is still rear-facing. Otto playfully wrestles with Daddy, Enzo copies Otto’s “wrestling moves” and doesn’t realize they actually hurt. You can see where I’m going with this.

It’s harder in the sense that both boys need constant supervision, but I can’t be in two places at the same time. I try to play with them together as much as possible, but sometimes they don’t want to be doing the same thing. I find myself chasing Enzo while trying to keep tabs on Otto. I feel like I am a ping pong ball a lot of the time. The same goes for my attention and affection.

Boy Mom Thoughts

I can’t compare boys vs girls, but two boys has been… energetic, to say the least. Our living room often sounds like a wrestling match. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. There are crumbs everywhere, all the time. Our grocery bill is insane (I’m legitimately scared for when they are teens). It’s also hilarious. They invent games, laugh at jokes only they get, and copy each other in the sweetest and most dangerous ways (couch diving is their most recent endeavour).

There’s tenderness tucked inside the chaos, though. Overhearing the first “I love you” the boys say to each other. Big brother’s, “It’s okayyyy” after a fall. Cuddling with them in the early morning hours after they both crawl into bed with us.

The Hard Parts No One Sees

Two kids can mean feeling split down the middle — someone always needs you first, or they both need you at the same time (this one is so tricky, and happens more than I had anticipated). I had a lot of guilt in the newborn days with Enzo because naturally, I couldn’t spend as much one-on-one time with Otto. A lot of the time, help meant someone taking Otto out for dinner or for the day, and while it was helpful, I missed my quality time with him.

While I am always grateful, I am often depleted. While I have fun in most moments, I am often overwhelmed and overstimulated. While I love spending time with my family, I also crave quiet, alone time (and I usually feel guilty for doing so). A lot of mixed feelings come with being a parent, and for me they intensified with two.

Being honest: I don’t have a ton of solo time with my fiancé. Most nights we collapse on the couch and scroll while watching TV. On the nights we can go out, we go. I’m less anxious leaving now. It’s good for us, and it’s good for them to be loved by more than just us.

My Heart Grew (Like the Grinch)

When I was pregnant, I wondered how I could possibly love another baby as much as I loved Otto. Then Enzo arrived and I realized that love has no limits.

Watching them together is the reward. The way they are so alike and completely different. The way one goofy giggle triggers the other. The way a new person turns your family into a new story. It’s been like reading my favourite book all over again, but this time with more chapters and beautiful details.

If You’re About to Go From One to Two

All I can say is it will be worth it. You will never regret adding extra love and joy into your life. It is definitely a roller coaster but I’m enjoying the ride. Ups, downs and loops (lots of loops).

xx Maya