8- 5 Small Things That Make a Big Difference in Your First 12 Weeks Postpartum
The first few weeks after giving birth can feel like a total blur. You’re exhausted, your body is healing, and suddenly this tiny human is relying on you for everything. It’s overwhelming and honestly…it’s completely normal to feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water.
The good news? Small, simple things, aka things that don’t take a lot of time or energy, can make a huge difference in how you feel day to day. Here are few of my favorites:
1. Hydration is your secret superpower
I’m not going to say water is a cure-all, but it’s pretty close. Water helps with milk production, fatigue, physical recovery, and even constipation (hello post-birth hemorrhoids). I suggest keeping bottles of water in all the places you sit down to feed baby so you can finish one while baby eats (yes, even if you have a Stanley, Owala, or fancy bottle, because you might forget otherwise).
2. Sleep whenever you can
I get it, I get it…“Sleep when the baby sleeps” is the most eye-rolling advice when it feels like everything else is screaming at you. But rest is crucial for your mental and physical health. A mom who can rest has a drastically different postpartum experience than one who can’t. Everything else can wait or be handled by a support person whether that be your partner, doula, family, or friend. Sleep just isn’t going to happen? I love the 7 types of rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. A blog will be coming specifically on that topic tailored specifically for postpartum mamas.
3. Celebrate tiny wins
Tiny victories like finishing a cup of tea while it’s still warm, showering without an audience, or getting 10 quiet minutes matter. These moments help you feel a little more grounded without adding more to your plate. And guess what? Keeping your baby fed, clean, and alive? That’s a MAJOR win. Don’t look down on it.
4. Ask for help
This can be SO hard for so many moms. We often don’t want to feel like burdens and we carry so much, but this is not the time to prove you can do it all. People WANT to help you. Even if you don’t have an ideal family situation, doulas like myself do this job because we LOVE supporting you. A village is still a village even if you have to hire them.
5. Be kind to yourself
Your body just grew a human, your life changed overnight, and you are doing an incredible job. Some days will be messy and chaotic, some will be incredible. Showing up for your baby is enough. Give yourself the grace you’d give a friend.
The first 12 weeks aren’t about perfection, they’re about survival, connection, and small victories. If you can do even a few of these things, you’ll feel more grounded, capable, and maybe even a little more like yourself again <3
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