Those postpartum emotions. What do they really feel like? Am I going to be able to handle them? That’s a big question, and one many expecting moms quietly wonder about. The truth is, every mom’s postpartum experience is completely different. No two stories are the same, and that’s part of what makes motherhood so personal, so powerful.
But if there’s one universal truth, it’s this: not knowing what postpartum will feel like can be scary. The "what ifs" swirl around—what if I can’t handle it? What if I feel overwhelmed? What if it doesn’t go how I imagined? And even for moms with multiple kids, each postpartum journey can be completely different. So instead of being scared, let’s aim to be prepared.
I have a friend who makes postpartum look effortless. A mom of three boys, she approaches those early weeks with ease, soaking up maternity leave, flowing with the baby’s rhythms, and truly enjoying the moment. She lunches with friends, plans outings, and keeps things light. Maybe she’s putting on a brave face—but maybe, just maybe, that’s her truth.
Me? I was a worrier. The "what if" type. Constantly Googling, overthinking, and feeling like I had to be ready for every possible scenario. If the baby didn’t nap exactly right, I panicked. I needed control. And it made things feel heavy.
Both experiences are valid. Neither is better. Your personality, your support system, and your season of life all shape how postpartum feels.
For me, postpartum was a mix of bliss and heaviness. My first baby was relatively easy. He slept well, ate well, and barely cried. But I didn’t know what I was doing. I was afraid to make mistakes, afraid to go against advice, afraid to mess up this perfect little baby, and afraid of my new body. That fear weighed on me.
My second postpartum experience was different. I worried more about my first child! How he’d adjust, if I was giving him enough attention. (Spoiler: he adjusted just fine.) But my body took more of a hit the second time around. I got mastitis. my shins wouldn’t stop sweating (yes, my shins!). My hair fell out. My emotions were... a lot.
And yet, all of it is normal. That’s the truth about postpartum: there is no one right way to feel. It’s not a straight path. It’s a winding, messy, beautiful one.
If I could talk to my new-mom self now, I’d say this:
Slow down.
You’ll figure it out.
The newborn phase is fleeting, try to be in it.
Worry less. Snuggle more.
The laundry can wait.
It’s easier said than done, I know. But one day, those sleepless nights and foggy mornings turn into big-kid snuggles and full nights of sleep. I’m a mom now to a 10, 6, and 4-year-old. They get dressed on their own, they sleep through the night, they understand the rules. And still, I miss the baby days.
Postpartum can feel overwhelming, uncertain, and emotional. But that’s because we care so much. We love harder than we thought possible. We want everything to be just right. That’s who we are as moms. Nurturers, protectors, planners, and doers.
So give yourself grace.
Be kind to yourself.
You are doing your best.
And it’s enough.
There will be hard days. There will be magical ones. But soon enough, the days turn into years. You’ll miss this version of you, the new mom version who was learning, loving, and growing right alongside her baby.
At Le Lolo, we created our brand to remind every mom of her beauty, strength, and worth, especially during the raw, real moments of postpartum. When you use our accessories, we hope they serve as a physical reminder of just how incredible you are. You’re not alone in this. We’re more than products, we’re a support system. And we’re here to walk beside you as you navigate this transformative season of motherhood.
You were made for this, mama.
Let your journey be yours.
Make plans, but leave room for detours.
And know that even when it doesn’t go as planned, it’s still beautiful.
You are strong. You are extraordinary. You are becoming.
And you can do this.
Written by Courtney Boylan | Mom of 3 | Founder of Le Lolo
