Beyond the Checklists: A Softer Look at Postpartum Recovery

There’s a lot of talk about what new moms need. And while peri bottles, nipple balm, and adult diapers all have their place (no doubt about that!), the deeper needs of a postpartum mama often go unnoticed.

Whether you’re a first-time mom still in awe of everything that just happened or a seasoned mama with toddlers climbing all over you while you feed your newborn with one hand, postpartum hits in its own unique way every time.

So what does a mom really need to thrive in postpartum? Here are five things that go beyond the checklist:

1. Nourishing, Healing Food

Let’s start with food—the ultimate form of care. Warm, hearty, easy-to-digest meals aren’t just comforting, they’re essential. You’ve just done something monumental. Your body needs rebuilding. Think bone broth, soups, stews, soft-cooked veggies, good fats, and iron-rich dishes. Food that warms you, grounds you, and gives you energy to face those long days (and nights).

2. A Chance to Catch Her Breath

Let’s be honest—uninterrupted rest is wishful thinking for most moms. But finding small ways to pause, breathe, and even just be for a few minutes? That’s gold. A quick shower without someone knocking. Ten minutes with your warm drink before it goes cold. A nap while someone else holds the baby. These little windows of rest make a big difference.

3. Emotional Honesty and Support

Postpartum can bring on the feels in every direction. Love, grief, rage, joy, and everything in between. What moms need is space to feel it all without judgment. Whether that’s a trusted friend, your mom group, your partner, or a therapist. Someone who listens, nods, and reminds you you’re not alone.

4. Real-Life, Hands-On Help

The kind that shows up with food or folds your laundry without asking. That friend who doesn’t need you to host. That partner who takes the night shift so you can sleep. Help that lightens the load, not adds to it. Because no one is meant to do postpartum alone.

5. Reassurance and Simple Guidance

Even on your fifth baby, postpartum can still feel wobbly. What moms often crave is someone to say, “You’re doing a great job. This is hard, and it’s okay to not have it all figured out.” Whether it’s from a doula, a book, or that one reassuring friend, we all need reminders that we’re not failing, we’re just human.

Postpartum is not a time for perfection. It’s a time for softness, support, and slowing down where we can. We don’t need to “bounce back.” We need to be nourished, cared for, and held. So we can, in turn, care for our babies and ourselves.

So here’s your gentle reminder, wherever you are on your motherhood journey: you deserve to thrive, not just survive. (I swear I used to raise my eyebrow each time I see people saying you can thrive and not just survive.)

🌙 A Note on Sleep

Sleep is often the first thing to go after birth, yet it’s one of the most vital pillars of postpartum recovery. Your body and brain rely on rest to regulate hormones, support milk production, and stabilize your mood. But we know asking a postpartum mom to “just sleep” is like asking a fish to ride a bicycle.

So instead of perfect sleep, aim for supported rest. Can someone hold the baby while you nap? Can you nap instead of folding laundry? Can you create a cozy, screen-free bedtime routine even if it's only 20 minutes long? Tiny changes make a big difference and they add up to the healing your body deeply craves.