Navigating Postpartum Overwhelm with Support That Actually Helps
Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and lost about how you’re going to manage things once baby is here? You’re not alone! I think all moms have felt this way at some point during their pregnancy. While there’s no magic switch to make all the things fall perfectly into place, there are ways you can prepare for postpartum and arm yourself with all the tools to make the transition as smooth as possible.
One thing to remember about life with a newborn: you can make a perfect plan, but babies often have plans of their own. Preparation isn’t about perfection—it’s about building confidence, creating systems, and ensuring you have a strong support network.
Develop a kick-ass support team prior to delivery:
Creating a postpartum care plan is one of the best ways to make your postpartum recovery and journey into motherhood a success. When you deliver your baby without anyone extra in your support team, you typically have a six-week postpartum visit with your OB or midwife, and that’s where your postpartum care begins and ends. By boosting your support team, you will be able to recover faster, feel more positive, and have a knowledgable support team to answer any and all questions you have.
Lactation consultant: If you plan to breastfeed, a lactation consultant is essential to helping you have your ideal breastfeeding experience. They will complete an assessment and help you identify any areas you may need support. Your desires for your breastfeeding journey will be different from anyone else’s, so having a lactation consultant will ensure you are getting personalized care based on you and your baby’s needs.
Chiropractor: Postnatal chiropractic care will be a tremendous help to your postpartum recovery and the well-being of both you and your baby. Not only has your body transformed from pregnancy and childbirth, you are also moving your body in new ways you weren’t before. Your posture is naturally shifting from holding your baby, getting them in and out of their sleep space, and leaning over the tub to bathe them. A chiropractor will help keep your body in alignment and regulate your central nervous system. The birth process is traumatic on your baby, and it’s likely they are out of alignment at birth because of this. Getting them into a chiropractor specializing in infants will ensure a speedy recovery, and can help with digestive issues and colic, aid in their physical development, and boost their immune system.
Mental health therapist: Motherhood is transformational on every level, and you deserve a safe space to process all of the joys and challenges that come with being a parent. A maternal mental health therapist can help you process your birth, work through the challenges of caring for a newborn, and help you monitor signs of postpartum anxiety or depression. By catching these things early, they can provide anxiety and depression counseling as early as a symptom arises. They can also help you work through things that may have resurfaced with becoming a parent.
Doula: Doulas for after birth are the superheroes you need after delivery. They are there to provide you with emotional and physical support in your recovery, help with light housework or errands, and allow you the space to rest while they care for your baby. Postpartum doulas work to make things seamless during your recovery and transition into motherhood.
Ask for help and make a postpartum plan
Asking for help isn’t always easy, but when you have a newborn, you can’t get through it without support. Being able to delegate tasks to others in those first several weeks will help you be able to focus on your recovery and bonding with your newborn. Here are some ways you can have others help:
Think of a couple of trusted family members or friends that you feel safe with that will be a reliable source of help. The first few weeks postpartum are real, raw, and vulnerable, so you want people in your corner that you can be fully yourself around and that you trust to show up for you when you need them.
Create a support plan for your first month postpartum. Think of the daily tasks you normally handle on your own. How can you outsource that? Create a meal train or order meal delivery, get help with house-cleaning, or schedule a coffee date with a friend for emotional support. Talk to your support system and see who is able to help and in what ways. The more ways you can get help with daily tasks, the less stressed you will feel and the more time you’ll be able to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby.
Must-Have Postpartum Essentials
Comfort, efficiency, and ease can make or break your postpartum experience. These items belong on every new mom’s wishlist:
Silverettes: A must for breastfeeding! These silver nipple shields prevent infection and aid in healing.
Baby Wrap: Great for hands-free snuggles and fussy days when your baby wants to be held constantly.
Nightstand Kit: Keep snacks, water, chapstick, hair ties, and entertainment nearby for late-night feeds.
Adult Diapers: Way more comfortable and secure than traditional pads—trust us on this one.
Want more of our favorite baby registry picks? Check out Brooke’s Baby Registry.
Don’t Forget to Process Your Birth Experience
Your birth story is something you’ll want to remember and reflect on. Record or write it down as soon as you can to capture the details. If you experienced anything emotionally intense, having someone to talk it through with—like a doula, mental health counselor, or homebirth midwife—can be invaluable for healing and integration.
Join Our In-Person Postpartum Support Event
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of postpartum? Want to meet local postpartum providers and connect with other new moms?
Join us for the third annual Nurtured Momma Event on April 26th from 10am to 12pm at Nurture and Be Therapy Services in Peachtree City, GA. Enjoy lunch, meet local providers, grab some free goodies, and start building your support team for motherhood. RSVP here.
If you want to create your postpartum plan from start to finish, check out our Preparing for Postpartum Guidebook on Amazon! If you resonate with this blog and need additional support, one of our mental health counselors can help you have a joyful postpartum journey. We serve Georgia and Florida virtually, with office locations in Buford, Ga and Peachtree City, Ga.
