See that quote……I really couldn’t of said it better myself (thanks @thelactationplace.) No judgment to other moms – but personally I haven’t had a sip of alcohol in well over a year. And I’m totally fine, happy, content mama. I don’t need a sippy cup labeled mommy’s wine.
I am so tired of the MOMS NEED WINE pushiness of society. Sure, I love a glass of wine with a nice italian meal but that has NOTHING to do with being a new mom. Personally, I think the best thing you can give any new mom is postpartum support. Bring over a meal instead of wine. Offer to help her fold laundry or watch the little babe while she showers. THAT IS SO MUCH MORE HELPFUL.
I also want to point out that everyone’s journey through postpartum is different – parts of it are depressing, parts of it are scary (is my body going to be like this forever?!) and of course (for me) the other 90% of the time I’m in pure momma bliss that I gave life to this beautiful little babe. But postpartum is hard y’all. All of us mommas are struggling, trying to care for another human, our families and ourselves, etc.
I think society hears the word postpartum and automatically associates it with “postpartum depression.” Sure, that is 100% real and definitely a part of it postpartum. But that’s just a PART of it. (Please note if you need help with postpartum depression PLEASE seek a doctor. National Institute for Postpartum Depression is also a good resource.)
Every momma deals with exploring their transformed body during the postpartum period. You grew a baby and then labored it so of course your body is going to move differently, have a few marks, carry a few more pounds, and the like. And despite being a proud momma for all that you have done, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t struggling with the aftermath.
Add having a sick baby. Or going back to work too soon. Or struggling with breastfeeding. Or staying up all night after night after night. I could go on and on. I’m not here to complain or to get pity. But #postpartum is a real cycle in the birth process that is SO OVER LOOKED.
Some countries and cultures don’t even allow mothers to lift a finger for the first 40 days. And here we are expecting new mommas to bounce back in a week and be in supermodel shape. It is so important to ESCAPE that mindset and just work through the postpartum journey, however that looks like for you. (See @sophiejaffe for inspiration!).
To be quite vulnerable here, I am still struggling to love my new body. To find balance. To navigate this change in time. My friend @nataliepfund has an amazing online course called LOVE YOUR BODY NOW and I highly recommend it for everyone. For your teenagers going through puberty to new mommas to women going through menopause.
Natalie is a holistic life coach whose LOVE YOUR BODY NOW course takes place over several weeks (self discovery in that you do it at your own pace) where you learn to open your heart, open your mind, and get in touch with your body and spirit on a new loving level.
She has outlined mindful meditations aimed at helping you look inside yourself for answers and working through those struggling thoughts and mindsets. I loved how she guides you every step of the way in each video but Natalie is also SUPER personable and is available on instagram messager (or her facebook group) to connect.
After taking Natalie’s course, I am able to appreciate my body and love this journey of postpartum instead of loathing it. Instead of thinking, ugh I can’t wait to “get my body back” – I am focusing on “Wow, my body is so strong, so incredible and I love the journey I am currently going through.”
If you are interested in taking Natalie’s class, you can head here and tell her that I sent you. If you want to join her facebook group, you can head here. If you want to connect with her on instagram, follow her here.
Sending all the new postpartum momma’s lots of love. xo E
