Postpartum Yoga for Moms and Babies
In a past life, I was a yoga instructor and dedicated yogi. These days, my daily yoga practice often consists of deep breathing while sitting at a red light.
The good news is that you can make yoga a simple and accessible part of your daily “routine” (I use that term lightly when referring to motherhood, because as we know, the best laid plans) even if you’ve never practiced yoga a minute in your life, even with a newborn in tow. And yes, even if your newborn needs to be attached to you at all times.
Yoga can be a game-changer for postpartum moms and babies, with a focus on simplicity, mindfulness, and its benefits for moms with ADHD or sensory issues.
Navigating Postpartum with ADHD: Challenges, Risks, and Strategies
Becoming a mom is mind-blowingly incredible, but when you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), postpartum life can be uniquely challenging. The added responsibilities and changes can be overwhelming — and don’t even mention the lack of time to recharge. I’m not going to sugarcoat this — ADHD might affect your postpartum experience, and it increases your risk for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
Rainbow Babies and Postpartum Anxiety
I'm still scared every day.
My babies are 13 and 9 now and they are currently on an airplane without me. And I’m f*cking terrified. And I don't mean regular terrified.
I mean full-blown anxiety terrified.
Even with all the therapy and all the work I’ve done. Even with medication and meditation. I am still terrified.
Because I know that babies can die. And I’m sorry, but that’s terrifying.
Unfiltered Truth: Communication, Society's Bullsh*t, and Owning Your Voice
But the more I learn about my brain and the way it functions, the more pissed off I am that society convinced me that looking someone in the eyes is the only way to communicate what we need to say. I can’t believe I bought into this for so long.
But fuck that. Words written with intention hold just as much power as words coming out of the mouth. It’s time we dismantle the idea that speaking directly is the only "right" way to “legitimately” communicate.
Communication isn't a one-size-fits-all kinda thing, and if you’re like me and prefer to write it out rather than hash it out, I want to give you some permission slips.
I Didn’t Lose Myself in Motherhood. I Learned That I Needed to Find Myself.
I’ve been noticing myself masking up around my own kid and around his friends. I find myself censoring myself so I don't get made fun of and told that I'm embarrassing or weird. And I couldn't figure out why it was upsetting me so much because I get it that all most kids are embarrassed by their parents at some point, but this is just hitting me really hard.
And I figured out why – it’s giving me flashbacks and insight into my life before I wore my own masks. It’s reminding me of what it felt like when I was a kid and began to realize I didn’t fit.
Unmasking Anxiety: The Impact of Neurodivergence on Motherhood
If you’re anything like me, you’ve always been kind of on the fringe, living your life by your rules, but with a bit of self-loathing that you hid from the world.
And then motherhood happened and suddenly, you're grappling with these overwhelming and unfamiliar feelings of being out of control. It's like you're facing a stranger in the mirror every morning and you’re not sure how to deal with her and her big feelings. And the people you’ve known, the people who you’ve taught to see you how you could handle being seen are no longer there. Now there are new people and a new life and it feels like a lot.
If You Yelled at Your Baby, Listen Up.
I was struggling with postpartum anxiety and didn't know it. I’m neuro-spicy, but didn’t know it. I was pushed to my breaking point, struggling on the inside so badly that I didn't even know I was struggling (if that makes sense to you, I’m sorry.) And I yelled at my baby. My rainbow baby who was conceived via IVF, who I wanted so desperately. I yelled at him.
WAKE HIS ASS UP.
Yes. WAKE HIM UP. Because it is not okay that you’re the only one waking up at night. It’s just not. It doesn’t matter that you’re breastfeeding. It doesn't matter that he has to work tomorrow. It doesn't matter how hard it is to wake him up. It doesn't matter what kind of an asshole he’ll be when you do wake him up. Just wake him up. Because it’s not okay that you’re the only one waking up at night.
Something I’ve Been Hiding.
I remember being so excited for my then-husband to get home because then I’d get a break and be able to take a shower but the break never came and rarely did the shower and I'm still not really sure whose fault that was but it doesn't matter now because we’re divorced.
Anxious Moms, Beware
Excessive self-isolation, comparison and self-judgment, information overload, overextending yourself, neglecting self-care, avoiding getting help, excessive monitoring, over-committing and overbooking, and ignoring your physical health — these are all things that you might do that could have a negative impact on your postpartum experience.
Are You Unknowingly Sabotaging Your Fourth Trimester? Understanding the Dangers of Maternal Gatekeeping
Overcoming maternal gatekeeping requires a conscious effort – it requires open communication, it requires you to be brave, it requires you to admit that, yes you might have been sucked into the patriarchy – even as a hardcore feminist badass woman – you still may have these qualities. And it’s tricky because all of this could be latently hanging out in your psyche and not show itself until after your baby arrives, while you're in the trenches of new motherhood. But I’m telling you – if you’re committed to keeping your relationship strong, maintaining a sex life, and enjoying motherhood to the fullest, you must commit to doing this work.
The Narrative of the Perfect Mom
Motherhood. It can be such a mind*uck.
And I don’t know about you but I’ve just about had it with the unrealistic expectations and harmful narratives that have us beating ourselves up on the regular. From the pressure to be the "perfect mom" to constantly feelings comparing ourselves to what we see on social media, these narratives can leave us feeling like absolute $hit.
Mommin’ Aint Easy.
As a new mom, you might find yourself caught in a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities, and it's completely normal to miss your old life. Do not feel guilty about it.
As an anxious mom who lost her first baby, and went on to give birth to two IIVF miracles, I struggled so much during the newborn and infant stages. It was hard for me. But I never wanted to admit it because I felt like I should just be grateful.
Wait, What? I Gotta Build My Own Village?
Unfortunately, yep. In today's world (here in the US, at least), most of us are building our own villages of support. It’s super lame, and yes, assembling a postpartum support team adds another thing to the already-long to-do list, but if you don’t do it, no one shows up. And that, I can promise you, sucks way worse than having to build the village. But not to worry. I'm here to help you start the process and find the right people to join your team.
Postpartum Anxiety: A Cautionary Tale
My postpartum sucked. If only I’d known then what I know now.
I’m Sorry But I Loathe Mother’s Day
I hate Mother’s Day. Absolutely hate it.
It's tough for me to admit this, especially because I work with new moms and most of you who are reading these blog posts of mine are probably not jaded yet by the day. I want to be happy for you and celebrate with you, but I'm still so stuck in my own struggle.
Protect Your Mental Health as a New Mom by Learning to Set and Hold Boundaries
I was shit at creating boundaries when I first became a mom. Hell, I don’t think I had even heard the term “set boundaries” until my kids were already elementary age. Looking back, I see how my lack of boundary-setting skills caused me so much unnecessary stress when my babies were little.
Redefining What it Means to Prepare for Baby: Why You Need a Postpartum Mindset Coach On Your Team
As a Postpartum Mindset Coach, I specialize in helping new moms develop a more positive and confident mindset. Through my coaching program, you'll learn how to reparent yourself, develop greater self-awareness, and cultivate a greater sense of self-compassion. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of parenthood and build strong, healthy relationships with your children.
Postpartum Anxiety is a Sneaky Bitch.
Fortunately, there are many ways to prepare for the postpartum period to avoid or reduce postpartum anxiety. One of the most effective ways is to create a support system, whether it be through family, friends, or a community of other new mothers. Talking with someone who has gone through a similar experience can help ease any fears or concerns and provide a sense of camaraderie and understanding.