Mom to Mom: 6 Real-Life Postpartum Tips for Moms After Delivery
From St. Louis Maternity and Newborn Photographer Amber Sargent
Managing Motherhood and Other Responsibilities
As a fellow mom who journeyed through motherhood with a newborn this past year, I understand the challenges of balancing it all alongside life's responsibilities!
This experience can sometimes make us feel alone, which is why I’m passionate about sharing tips with soon-to-be moms as my way of saying “I see you and I’m right here with you.”
It’s incredibly important to talk about the realities of this beautiful yet demanding chapter of life, providing heartfelt support to moms navigating the first six months with a newborn.
With that in mind, I hope this post offers valuable insight into the importance of putting into practice the 6 real-life postpartum tips I’ve learned, allowing you to find moments to catch your breath.
Challenges of ‘New Mom’ Life
Whether you’re a first time mom, or this is your third baby, it’s a fact that the beginning stage of motherhood is a profound (yet challenging) experience! Managing the changes it brings can get overwhelming quickly.
And to a point, this overwhelming feeling is completely normal!
But what helps it reign down is how you establish effective communication with your partner and any other caregivers in the home. Open dialogue and shared responsibilities can go a long way in alleviating the strain. When my middle child was born, I felt completely overwhelmed by the amount of visitors who came to my house and stayed for hours. Everyone kept telling me to REST and “sleep while the baby sleeps”, but I couldn’t do anything while I felt like I was constantly hosting guests!
After that postpartum period, I really took the time to think of how my loved ones could help me during that season of life and here are my top 6 real-life tips for moms going through it!
6 Real-Life Postpartum Tips for Moms
Focus on your hydration and nutrition habits
With a newborn, the first thing everyone tells you is that you should get as much sleep as you can! But that's easier said than done (and when it’s done, it’s not always consistent) so this is an unrealistic tip to follow initially.
Instead, prioritize your hydration and nutrition. Give your body nutrient-rich foods to provide it with natural energy. To do this, create a list of pantry staples and collaborate with your partner to make healthy snacks and simple meals in advance for added convenience.
TIP: I love these body armour drinks, especially when you are breastfeeding! https://amzn.to/49yQDOw
When visitors offer help, ask them to bring meals
As I mentioned in my previous tip, nutrition is important, but I understand you if you don’t feel like you and your partner can’t keep it up with that either. If this is the case, don’t wait to ask for help from your visitors!
Friends and family often want to support you but when it comes to it, they don’t know how! So, simply ask them to help you with cooking homemade meals, bringing takeout, or even sending you gift cards for food delivery services like Doordash or UberEats.
Clear your schedule from anything that doesn’t serve you
During the postpartum period, you’ll need to prioritize rest and recovery so decline all non-essential commitments. Collaborate with your partner to also set rules and hours for visitors.
When you share these with them, let them know you appreciate their support and that you’ll require downtime and privacy for the first ‘x’ weeks or months post-birth.
Then go ahead and spend that time with your growing newborn, cherishing those quiet moments without feeling guilty for prioritizing self-care and bonding over social obligations.
Clear your weekly To-Do lists by outsourcing tasks
It’s true, we are Super Moms. But that doesn't mean we have to do it all!
It’s okay to let go of some responsibilities to focus on your recovery and baby’s needs. Delegate household chores like grocery shopping, cleaning, and even doing the laundry to your partner, other family members, and even friends if possible! Or if you prefer to have a professional, consider hiring a housekeeper, even if it’s just temporary. Some things are just worth it!
Hire a Postpartum Doula or a Housekeeper
It's common to hire a postpartum doula for 1-4 months after your newborn's arrival. Some families opt for continuous support over several weeks, while others choose 1-2 days a week for a couple of weeks.
A doula's benefits extend beyond that of a housekeeper because they are trained to care for newborns and assist with light housework, meals, and helping other children adjust to the new addition. However, if you don't require this level of support, consider hiring a housekeeper for periodic home maintenance.
In St. Louis, I highly recommend Amber Leigh with Postpartum Bliss for exceptional postpartum doula services. They provided me with the help I needed to stay present with my newborn, support my family, and prioritize self-care.
Seek local help from businesses like Extra Hands in St. Louis
I highly recommend Moms Extra Hands, a St. Louis-based service that offers personalized organizational assistance to moms at any stage of motherhood. They act as personal assistants, making the demanding tasks of parenting more manageable!
If you're not in the St. Louis area, consider joining online mom groups to seek recommendations for similar services in your local community.
Recap and Reflections on Getting Extra Help
Asking for help sometimes leaves us feeling like a burden or like someone who can’t handle the challenging stages of motherhood. And even though your feelings are valid, I’m your voice of reason: Your loved ones want you to succeed and are willing to assist when asked.
Don’t hesitate to seek and embrace their support! Implement these 6 real-life postpartum tips and explore all your options to make this transition easier on you.
I'm rooting for you, mama, and to remind you that you're not alone even on challenging days. You’ve got this!
I would love to help you with maternity, newborn, children, and family portrait sessions at my studio in Winghaven, MO or for outdoor portraits in the greater St. Charles and St. Louis County areas.
Get in touch today to customize your dream session!
Sargent Photography is a custom portrait maternity, newborn, and family photographer in O’Fallon, Missouri serving the greater St. Charles and St. Louis area.
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