mamashonestjournal

The postpartum period is beautiful, messy, exhausting, and transformative all at once. Between feeding schedules, sleepless nights, and the whirlwind of emotions, it is easy to forget yourself or pick up habits that do more harm than good. Here are some key things not to do during these first weeks and months that I wish I did!

1. Never stop taking your vitamins

Your body just went through one of its biggest transformations. Nutrients are essential not only for healing but also for energy and mental clarity. Skipping your vitamins can make fatigue, mood swings, and recovery harder than it already is. It will catch up to you at some point.

2. Do not starve yourself while nursing

It can be tempting to eat less in an effort to trim fat, but your body needs fuel. Nursing burns calories and your energy levels rely on good nutrition. Eating enough and eating well keeps both you and your baby healthy.

3. Do not isolate yourself indoors

Even a five-minute walk outside, a quick run to the mailbox, or sitting in the sun on your porch can reset your mind and body. Fresh air and a change of scenery do wonders for postpartum mental health. Postpartum depression will hit you hard if you stay in your room.

4. Do not doom scroll old photos of your pre-pregnancy body

It is easy to fall into comparison traps or long for the before version of yourself. But your body just did something incredible. Focus on what your body is doing now, not what it looked like months or years ago. I promise, your body will get there eventually.

5. Do not try to keep up with people who are not moms

Friendships change, and that is okay. You do not need to compare your energy, priorities, or lifestyle to friends who do not understand the postpartum trenches. Let go of old expectations and give yourself permission to grow into your new life.

6. Do not forget who you really are

Your body, your time, and your life may feel unrecognizable in these early months, but the core of you is still there. Keep doing small things that remind you of who you are, journaling, reading, skincare, or just taking a quiet moment for yourself when it’s possible.

Postpartum is hard. It is raw. But avoiding these mistakes will help you feel stronger, more grounded, and more like yourself as you navigate this new chapter.

What is one small thing you are doing today to care for yourself in the trenches?