Real Talk About the Transition into Motherhood
Using Mindfulness to Overcome Postpartum Challenges
The birth of my daughter was a shock. Yes, I knew I was pregnant, and went into the experience as prepared as anyone could be, but it was still a surprising and, frankly, unsettling experience. Things didn’t go better or worse than I imagined, just different. The postpartum period for me was also a shock. It was much more challenging than I thought it would be, and I struggled to feel like a competent mother.
read more
I Can Tell How Much You Love Your Baby
I have known and worked with many postpartum mothers who feel overwhelmed, lonely, sad, and even resentful about their situation. And on top of those feelings, they often have a layer of guilt and shame about even having such “ugly” emotions in the first place. They know they love their babies, but they often speak of wondering how they could feel so sad and anxious at the same time.
read more
The Truth About Dark Thoughts During the Postpartum Period
One thing that really surprised me after my daughter was born were the dark thoughts that bubbled to the surface of my consciousness. Even though I suspected that having a child might be difficult, I didn’t expect to feel regretful of my decision. I thought I would just instantly adjust to being a parent, and never look back. This has not been the case.
read more
The Most Logical and Infuriating Piece of Postpartum Advice
Can you guess what it is? If you’re a new parent, you’ve most likely received it multiple times. Chances are, you’ve also given it. I know I’ve given it to new moms too. And I don’t think the particular advice in itself is bad advice. It’s actually very logical. But it’s not enough because it won’t work for every new mama. Have you guessed what it is yet?
read more
5 Ways to Tell if You Are a Good Mom
It’s 3 am. You’re scrolling through your Facebook feed and you see post after post showing your friends looking happy, poised, put together, and normal. You think, “everyone else has got it together except for me.” Sound familiar?
read more
11 Ways to Nurture Yourself in 30 Minutes
OK mama, you’ve got 30 minutes to yourself. Maybe your baby is napping. Maybe your best friend came over to hold the baby for you. Maybe your partner strapped the baby in a carrier and went for a walk. You should be happy, excited, thrilled…right? I don’t know about you, but as a mother to an infant (heck, even now as a mom to a 2- and 4- year old), I feel paralyzed in this situation.
read more
M’s Postpartum Story
I am a type A, organized, plan-ahead kind of person. Becoming a mother was something my husband and I had planned, yet I had anxiety about exactly how it would feel and how it would disrupt our happy status quo. Early in my pregnancy, I read countless books and did as much research as possible to prepare myself for pregnancy, birth, and the early days of having a newborn.
read more
10 Ways I Actually Enjoyed the Postpartum Period…a Little…I Think…
Here’s a truth: I sometimes feel guilty or inadequate when I see other moms enjoying the postpartum period. When I think back on the early days of parenthood it seems like the most difficult time of my life. I felt like every day was a reckoning of my worth as a person, and that I continually came up short. Knowing that other mamas have had stressful postpartum experiences helps me go a little easier on myself, but I often wish I could get a do over.
read more
My Postpartum Shift
Dear Friend,
A few months after my first was born, I finally made it out to my first “mom” gathering. I don’t know why it took me so long to do it; perhaps I was scared, nervous, or simply too overwhelmed to even make it happen. I went to an evening La Leche League meeting, hoping to find some advice and support for my fussy nurser. At the meeting, I met you.
read more
Stephanie’s Postpartum Story
In February of 2014, I conceived my second child. We also found out in that same month that our first child is Autistic. When dealing with Autism, people love to talk about causes, statistics, and interventions, and as we shared the news of our daughter’s diagnosis and my pregnancy, we were met with lots of interesting statements.
read more