When you're pregnant, so much focus is placed on the birth. The due date, the hospital bag, the delivery plan. But what about everything that happens after? What about you?
The truth is, postpartum is rarely talked about in a real, honest way, especially with new moms who haven’t been through it yet. It’s often glossed over or wrapped in a pretty bow, but for many women, it’s messy, emotional, overwhelming, and full of moments that make you feel like you’re not yourself anymore. So let’s talk about what really happens in those early days, and what every new mom deserves to know.
1. Postpartum Care Is Lacking. You Have to Advocate for Yourself.
Once your baby is here, the world shifts to focus entirely on them. Pediatric appointments, growth tracking, feedings. But what about you? Postpartum care is often minimal. You might get one six-week checkup, and that’s it. But your body is healing from a major physical event. Your hormones are in free fall. You’re learning how to be a mom. That deserves care, attention, and support. You are not being dramatic for needing help, rest, or time to recover. You are healing, too, so be talk with your partner and loved-ones about a postpartum care before you give birth and how they can support you. This will ensure that when the time comes, your partner understands how you are feeling and can help provide additional support when needed.
2. It Hurts More Than You Think.
No one really prepares you for the pain your body can feel after giving birth. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, there’s swelling, tenderness, and in some cases, stitches. You might be sore, uncomfortable, or downright shocked at how much your body aches. But hear this: it gets better. Though it might feel like forever in the moment, most moms start to feel more like themselves "down there" within two weeks. That first poop? Terrifying. Sitting? Not fun. But your body is doing what it’s meant to do, it's healing!
Make sure you have self-care products ready at home: ice packs, antibacterial spray, Tucks pads, a peri bottle, and stool softeners. And here's the best piece of advice: snag as many extras as you can from the hospital! You'll thank yourself later.
3. You Might Not Feel an Instant Bond with Baby, and That’s Okay.
Some moms feel a surge of overwhelming love the second their baby is born. Others feel numb, disconnected, or even panicked. Both are normal. Birth is intense—emotionally, physically, spiritually—and sometimes it takes time to process and adjust. If you don’t feel connected right away, give yourself grace. Bonding is a journey, not a moment.
4. Your Hormones. Strap In for the Ride!
The postpartum hormone crash is real. One moment you’re crying over a diaper commercial, the next you’re raging over the dishwasher not being loaded “correctly.” These mood swings aren’t your fault, they’re biological. The shift in estrogen and progesterone, along with sleep deprivation and physical recovery, can make you feel like a stranger in your own body. You’re not going crazy. You’re just postpartum. It won’t last forever. Before birth, ensure your partner understands the hormone crash. Communicating about it before it happens, so they understand what's happening too, will help tremendously!
5. You’ll Feel Like You Have to Know Everything, but You Don’t.
There’s a lot of pressure on new moms to instantly know what their baby needs. To have a routine. To feed the “right” way. To soothe every cry. But here’s the truth: you’re learning. And instincts take time to build. You’re not supposed to know everything on day one. Give yourself permission to figure it out as you go. The baby doesn’t need perfect, they just need you.
6. Comparison Will Steal Your Joy.
It’s easy to scroll Instagram and think everyone else has it together. The matching outfits, the smiling newborns, the clean houses. But postpartum is not always picture-perfect, and it’s definitely not the highlight reel you see online. Every mom has her own struggles. Every baby is different. And every postpartum journey is valid, whether it looks “Instagram-worthy” or not.
7. You Might Feel Lonely, Anxious, or Not Like Yourself.
Postpartum depression and anxiety are more common than most people think, and they don’t always look like sadness. About 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression after giving birth, and 1 in 3 women say they felt down, anxious, or overwhelmed in the early weeks of postpartum. You might feel rage, restlessness, detachment, or constant worry. You might feel like you're not doing enough, or that something's "off" but you can’t explain what. These feelings are real and deserve attention. You are not weak for struggling. You are not alone. And there is help.
8. This Season Won’t Last Forever.
The nights are long. The days blur together. But it won’t always be this way. Your body will heal. Your baby will grow. Your confidence will build. One day, you’ll realize you made it through, stronger than ever. And through it all, your love will be the anchor, for your baby, and for yourself.
9. You Are Beautiful, Strong, and Worthy—Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It.
At Le Lolo, we created our products to remind every mom of this truth. Postpartum isn’t just a physical recovery, it’s a transformation. And while it may not be pretty or perfect, it is powerful. You are doing the most important job in the world, and you deserve products, support, and reminders that lift you up, too!
You've got this mama, and we've got you!
