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Second Time Joy: Powerful Postpartum Prep Changes

As a nurse, a mom of a toddler, and now preparing to welcome my second baby, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what postpartum looked like for me the first time versus what I’m doing differently this time around.

As a nurse, a mom of a toddler, and now preparing to welcome my second baby, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what postpartum looked like for me the first time versus what I’m doing differently this time around. That first postpartum experience hit me like a freight train. I had no idea what was coming.

This post isn’t medical advice. It’s me, your mom-friend who happens to be a nurse, sharing what I’ve learned, what I didn’t know, and how I’m prepping differently now. If you’re a new mom or expecting your second baby, I hope this helps you feel less alone and more prepared.

I went into postpartum the first time with diapers, wipes, and a couple of meals prepped—and that was about it.

What I Didn’t Know the First Time

I went into postpartum the first time with diapers, wipes, and a couple of meals prepped—and that was about it. No one told me about the hormonal crash, the physical pain, the mental fog, or how important it is to care for yourself just as much as your baby.

Here are a few things I learned the hard way:

1. Pain Is Part of the Healing

I didn’t know I’d be sore for weeks. I didn’t know how much I’d rely on the peri bottle, witch hazel pads, and ice packs. I figured labor would be the hard part—but postpartum recovery is its own kind of marathon. This time, I’ve stocked up on everything from homemade freezer pad products to Tylenol and padsicles.

2. Night Sweats and Hormone Fluctuations

I was waking up drenched and didn’t understand what was going on. I thought maybe I was sick. No one had warned me that postpartum hormone shifts can cause intense night sweats. The first go around I asked my nurse why I was so sweaty and that’s when I found out. My poor husband was freezing and I felt like a furnace. This time, I have multiple sets of breathable PJs, extra sheets, and towels ready to go.

3. Breastfeeding Requires Fuel

Last time, I was so focused on “bouncing back” and losing the baby weight that I under-ate purposely trying to lose weight. My supply suffered and I felt depleted. I’ve since learned that to breastfeed and heal, your body needs more nourishment, not less. I’m not obsessing over weight this time. Between nourishing my body and weightlifting I’m eating to fuel recovery and milk production.

4. Sleep Deprivation is Real—but So is Grace

I kept thinking I could “catch up on sleep” or nap when the baby did. But with a newborn and my personality, it just didn’t always happen. I fought the fatigue instead of accepting it. This time, I’m adjusting my expectations. I’m not superhuman, and it’s okay to be tired and for our home to not be perfect. It’s part of the season.

5. You Can Prepare, Even if It’s Not Perfect

I thought everything had to be “done” before the baby came. Last time, we had just moved into a new house and were trying to do a few renovations. We didn’t even have the crib ready or the dresser in the nursery. I over-focused on baby gear and clothes and under-focused on making sure I’d be taken care of. This time, the nursery still isn’t finished—but I’ve stocked the bathroom with postpartum essentials, prepared meals, and created a calming space to rest and recover.

I thought everything had to be “done” before the baby came. Last time, we had just moved into a new house and were trying to do a few renovations.

What I’m Doing Differently This Time

With a toddler running around and less energy to spare, I had to prioritize what truly matters this time. Here’s how I’m prepping differently:

1. Stocking a Postpartum Care Station

I’ve got a little cart in my bathroom loaded up with:

  • Peri bottle
  • Padsicles
  • Mesh underwear
  • Witch hazel pads
  • Sitz bath supplies
  • Pain relief (Tylenol, stool softeners)
  • Haakaa

Having everything in one spot saves me time and stress. I didn’t do this last time and wish I had. P.s. half of these items they will give you at the hospital!

2. Embracing Food Prep with a Purpose

I batch-cooked soups, muffins, protein snacks, lactation cookies and crockpot freezer meals. I focused on nutrient-dense foods that support hormone balance and milk supply. My meals are rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

I also stocked up on easy-to-grab snacks:

  • Nuts
  • popcorn
  • Smoothie packs
  • Pre-cut fruit and veggies

I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m just setting myself up for less scrambling when I’m exhausted and hungry at 2 a.m.

3. Prioritizing Rest and Setting Boundaries

This time, I’ve told friends and family: We’ll let you know when we’re ready for visitors. I’m not playing hostess with a newborn, last time I tried to. I need space to heal and bond. I’m also setting realistic expectations with my husband and accepting help. I’ve learned that asking for help is not weakness—it’s wisdom.

4. Prepping the Nursery with What I Actually Need

We still don’t have all the furniture. It’s not Pinterest-perfect. But it’s functional. I’ve got:

  • A changing pad on the dresser
  • Diapers and wipes in baskets
  • A place to nurse

I learned that babies don’t care about décor—they care about love, warmth, and your presence.

5. Accepting the Mess and Choosing Presence

With a toddler, my house won’t be spotless. The nursery might not be fully decorated. But that doesn’t mean I’m not prepared. I’m prioritizing what matters most: my mindset, my health, and my baby. Everything else can wait.

Postpartum isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. It’s hormonal. It’s identity-shifting.

Emotional and Mental Prep: The Quiet Work

Postpartum isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. It’s hormonal. It’s identity-shifting.

Last time, I wasn’t ready for the emotions that came crashing in. The mood swings, the tears, the guilt, the joy, the overwhelm. This time, I’m preparing emotionally, too.

1. Giving Myself Permission to Slow Down

Rest is recovery. Slowing down is not laziness—it’s survival. I’m allowing myself grace to heal, to cry, to laugh, and to be messy.

2. Journaling and Gratitude

I’m keeping a postpartum journal—not to track milestones but to capture my thoughts. Gratitude journaling helped me in hard seasons before. This time, I’ll be writing down the good, the hard, and everything in between.

3. Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations

I don’t need to bounce back. I need to be well. I’m letting go of pressure to “do it all.” I’m not comparing myself to others on social media. I’m writing my own story, and that’s enough.

Becoming a new parent is one of the most beautiful and humbling experiences—but those first six weeks after birth? They hit differently.

What I Want Every New Mom to Know

You don’t have to know everything. You don’t need a perfect nursery. You don’t need every gadget or outfit.

What you do need is support, grace, and the essentials to care for yourself while you care for your baby.

If I could go back and tell myself anything before my first postpartum season, I’d say this:

“You’re doing better than you think. Take care of yourself. You matter, too.”

This time, I’m going into postpartum with that truth at the center.

Want to Feel More Prepared?

Grab my free Hospital Bag Checklist—it’s everything I wish I’d packed the first time and what I’m packing now. Designed by a nurse and mom who’s been through it, it’s practical, realistic, and easy to use.

Click here to download it and start prepping today.

Let me know in the comments: What’s something you wish someone had told you about postpartum?