Postpartum Hit Me Hard—Here’s How I’m Getting Ready Now
Real Talk from a Nurse + Mom of Two
I was so excited for the baby shower.
The tiny onesies, the swaddles with woodland prints, the sound machine, the bottles—I was ready for my baby.
Or so I thought.
What I wasn’t ready for?
The sleepless nights.
The raw, aching body.
The endless laundry and nipple pain and the way I questioned everything I did.
I had put so much energy into preparing for the baby… that I forgot to prepare for the mother I was about to become.
Now I’m pregnant with baby #2, and let me tell you: I’m doing things differently.
Not just because I’m older or wiser—but because I’ve been there.
And I know now that a postpartum plan is just as important as the birth plan.
I Thought I Was Ready the First Time… But I Wasn’t
Looking back, I realize I focused on all the cute, visible parts of motherhood.
The nursery decor, the registry, the name reveal.
I didn’t realize that while I was planning the baby’s arrival, I was completely ignoring what I would need afterward.
I didn’t meal prep.
I didn’t have a postpartum kit.
The crib wasn’t even put together.
I had no idea how many diapers we’d go through.
I didn’t own a single good nursing bra.
And no one told me how painful pooping would be.
We had just moved into our home. Everything felt chaotic. I was trying to adjust to a new space, new role, and a new baby—without any systems in place.
It wasn’t just the physical stuff I lacked.
It was the mental readiness.
I had no idea how mentally heavy those first weeks would feel.
The emotional weight of caring for a newborn, healing from birth, running on two hours of sleep, and feeling like I needed to “do it all” hit me like a truck.
Now I’m Prepping for Postpartum Like My Sanity Depends on It—Because It Does
This time, I’m not just preparing for a baby.
I’m preparing for me—the mom who will be recovering, healing, nursing, navigating big feelings, and still showing up for a toddler.
And that requires more than a diaper caddy.
It takes intention.
Here’s what I’m doing differently this time around—and why I hope every mom sees this before she hits that overwhelmed postpartum wall.
1. I’m Meal Prepping (and It’s Not Fancy)
Last time, I didn’t eat a real meal for days.
I was living on crackers, leftover granola bars, and the occasional takeout. I felt weak, foggy, and constipated—something no one warned me about.
This time, I know food is fuel—especially when healing, nursing, and running on little sleep. I’ve made:
Protein muffins (grab-and-go for early mornings)
Lactation cookies with oats and flax
Freezer-friendly meals like soups, chili, and casseroles
Frozen fruit bags for easy smoothies (hello fiber!)
I even prepped some high-protein snacks like boiled eggs and turkey roll-ups I can eat one-handed.
It doesn’t have to be gourmet. It just has to be there when you need it.
2. I Created a Postpartum Basket—Because 2 A.M. Me Needs Help
The first time, I had no clue I’d be bleeding for weeks.
Or that I’d want nipple balm more than perfume.
Or that I’d be changing my underwear three times a day.
So this time, I built a postpartum basket and set it up next to my bed. It includes:
Pads + extra undies
Nipple balm
Peri bottle
Gentle wipes
Snacks
Water bottle
Pain reliever
DIY frozen diaper ice packs (wet the baby diapers, freeze them—amazing for sore spots)
I don’t want to be stumbling around in the dark, digging through drawers with a crying baby on my chest. This is my survival stash.
3. I Upgraded My Nursing Gear—Because I Deserve to Be Comfortable
My first go-round, I tried to “make do” with flimsy nursing bras and regular tank tops.
It was a mess—literally and figuratively.
This time I’ve invested in:
Supportive, soft nursing bras
Nursing dresses I can live in (yes, even when guests stop by)
A hands-free breast pump (which I didn’t have before, and is a game-changer for multitasking)
I’m not here to suffer through it. I’m setting myself up to nurse without stress or soreness.
4. The Baby’s Setup is Actually Set Up
We were in a whirlwind during baby #1. The crib wasn’t built. The diaper stash was minimal. I thought I’d just “figure it out.”
Spoiler: I did, but at the cost of my peace.
This time:
The bassinet is ready
Diapers are stocked and sorted by size
Wipes, burp cloths, and swaddles are in easy reach
I’ve minimized the clutter and focused on what we’ll actually use
And I shopped sales ahead of time, so I’m not panic-ordering anything at midnight.
5. We Have a Toddler Plan
This one’s huge.
With a second baby, I knew I had to think beyond just the newborn.
My toddler is full of energy, and while I love being hands-on, I know I’ll need help.
So my husband will be taking the lead on toddler care while I’m in the newborn trenches.
We’ve prepped meals, planned quiet-time activities, and talked through expectations.
This takes a huge mental burden off my plate. I don’t feel like I have to be “everything to everyone” in those first weeks.
6. I’m Giving Myself Permission to Be Cared For
Last time, I resisted help. I felt guilty asking for support or admitting I was struggling.
This time, I know better.
I’ve set boundaries, made a loose routine, and reminded myself: rest is productive.
Healing is a full-time job. Bonding with my baby is enough.
And I’ve built my support plan around that truth.
Final Thoughts: You Can’t “Out-Amazon” the Mental Load—But You Can Lighten It
Here’s the thing no one tells you:
You can buy all the baby gadgets in the world and still feel overwhelmed.
Because the real challenge? It’s not the diapers or the bassinets.
It’s the mental load—the never-ending to-do list running in your head, the second-guessing, the pressure to keep everything running smoothly while running on no sleep.
But you don’t have to carry it alone.
You don’t have to walk into postpartum blind.
Need Help Preparing Your Own Postpartum Plan?
I created The Postpartum Playbook: What No One Tells You (But Every New Mom Needs) for this exact reason.
It’s a nurse-approved, mom-tested guide to:
Creating a recovery routine
Setting up your space
Stocking your essentials
Offloading the mental burden
Feeling emotionally supported (not just physically “ready”)
Grab your copy here and step into motherhood feeling calm, confident, and prepared.
Because this time, you know better—and that changes everything.