What Makes the Postpartum Period So Hard? (Spoiler: It’s Not a Vacation)

If you think maternity leave is just an extended baby-snuggling vacation, then you’re most likely not a parent yet.

Yes, there are sweet cuddles, that intoxicating newborn smell, and heart-melting moments. But let’s be real. The postpartum period is one of the most intense, emotional, and exhausting experiences of a person’s life. It’s the kind of hard that can leave any mama (and honestly, a lot of dads too) crying on the kitchen floor at 3 a.m.

So, what makes this season so uniquely difficult?

Let’s start with the body. You’re healing from birth which might mean stitches, uterine cramps that feel like labor contractions, and hormones that are doing backflips. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, your body is in full recovery mode. And yet, there’s no pause button.

Because then comes the sleep deprivation. The kind that makes your brain feel foggy, your emotions a rollercoaster, and the days and nights blur together. You might wonder when you last showered or cried or both.

Now add breastfeeding. For first-time moms especially, it’s a whole thing. Latching issues, milk supply worries, sore (sometimes wounded) nipples, and the constant question: “Am I doing this right?” You’re learning while doing, which is a recipe for stress and self-doubt.

Then there’s your baby. Precious, yes. But also very demanding. Diapers. Rocking. Feeding. Soothing. Repeat. Around the clock. They don’t care if you’ve eaten, showered, or even sat down.

And through all of this, you’re facing a massive identity shift. You’ve become a mother and parts of your former life may feel lost. Your freedom, your sense of self, your routines—all different now. It’s beautiful but it can also feel like grief. You’re mourning the version of you that existed before baby while trying to make sense of who you are now.

So no, postpartum is not a vacation. It’s a sacred, messy, sleep-deprived, soul-stretching transformation.

And if it feels hard, it’s because it is. You’re doing something incredibly important—and you deserve care, rest, and so much compassion through it all.