Real Talk About the Transition into Motherhood
“It Will Get Easier.”
“It will get easier. It won’t always be this hard. Trust me.” These words are so often uttered to new parents in the throes of recovering from birth, learning how to care for a newborn and care for themselves at the same time. I often find myself saying these things to friends and families that I work with, because I know it’s true.
read more
“Why?” – the One Question You Can Never Answer, But You Always Ask.
Why is she crying Why am I crying? Why did my birth go that way? Why doesn’t my partner understand what I’m saying? Why is the baby’s poop green? Why did the baby sleep through the night last night?
read more
Amanda’s Postpartum Story: Overcoming Multiple Challenges
After a repeat C-Section in March 2015, I was actually shocked at how quickly I recovered. I was up on my feet walking around by the time night time rolled around the same day. I didn’t need any pain killers at all during my 2 day stay which made me really happy since they always make me sick. After carrying around a baby for 9 months and having her weigh a whopping 11lbs at birth at 39 weeks, my body was just relieved to not be carrying around all that weight!
read more
Celebrate Your Small Postpartum Victories
Sometimes parenthood feels like a marathon with no finish line. There’s this somewhat elusive goal in front of you, but when you think you’ve almost reached it, another goal pops up and it’s even further away. And new motherhood, with the physical recovery and exhaustion, and heightened emotional intensity seems especially marathon-like. Many new moms talk about how it’s hard to feel accomplished or successful in those early days because the tasks seem small and insignificant, yet it’s all so very hard at the same time.
read more
Lisa’s Brief and Beautiful Postpartum Story
I guess I haven’t had the time to sit down and write a thoughtful reflection yet, but the babe is napping and this seems like a good time. In brief: I am doing really well and am loving being a mom. I guess I wasn’t prepared for this type of love, as it is one you don’t experience any other way. So deep and so pure.
read more
How to Really Find Out How A Postpartum Mom is Doing
As a mental health counselor I often find myself trying to elicit information from clients about their wellness. I’ve found over the years that just asking a general “how are you doing?” Doesn’t really get me much information. There are some folks who are open books, and can’t help but give a genuine in-depth answer to this question, but most people respond in brief. New mothers are no exception.
read more
She Can’t Be Hungry Again! Encouragement for Those Evenings When Your Baby Won’t Stop Nursing.
“She can’t be hungry again!” If you have breastfed a newborn, or are breastfeeding a newborn, perhaps you’ve either thought these words and/or had somebody say these words to you. There seem to be times during those first few months when babies just want to nurse for hours without stopping
read more
Maya’s Postpartum Story
I really love coffee. It makes me a better mother, a better employee, a better wife, a better friend – really, just a better human being. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars at Starbucks and hours upon hours of my time at Starbucks. Some days, I am working furiously on my laptop, racing the clock to 4:30PM school pick up for my children.
read more
10 Tips for Enjoying Your Postpartum Summer
When summer hits I instantly feel a shift in my psyche. I think outdoor concerts, barbecues, dinner al fresco, hiking, and beach days. When I had my daughter I really wanted to continue doing all the fun summer things we like, but at the same time I was nervous about taking a newborn out and about in the heat and sun of the summer.
read more
Giving Birth as Practice for Parenting
I work with many mothers and mothers-to-be who are used to being relatively in control of their lives and their day-to-day happenings. I’m this way as well. I like to have a clear idea of what’s going to happen when, and a detailed plan for each day, life event, and major transition.
read more