How to Prepare for Postpartum: Tips and Encouragement from a 3rd Time Mama

Jan 11, 2025 | Mental Wellness

How to Prepare for Postpartum: Tips and Encouragement from a 3rd Time Mama

When I was pregnant with my first, I wish I had thought more (or at all!) about my postpartum body before I found myself face to face with it. We spend so much time learning about pregnancy, newborns, and sleep schedules, but not nearly enough understanding the immediate changes and needs in the postpartum period. Mentally preparing for postpartum can help ease the transition into motherhood and the emotional challenges that come with it. Here are some of my favorite strategies to help prepare mentally for postpartum:

Understand the Changes: Acknowledge that postpartum recovery involves both physical and emotional changes. Your body will undergo significant changes, and your emotions may fluctuate due to hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and new responsibilities.

Set Realistic Expectations: Accept that things may not go according to plan. While it can be helpful to think through how you’ll approach feeding, sleep, or your new routine, flexibility and setting realistic expectations can ease feelings of disappointment or frustration when you need to pivot.

Plan for Support: Surround yourself with a support system of family and friends or consider a postpartum doula. Determine what kind of help you need, set boundaries that work for you, and don’t hesitate to lean on those who care about you. Knowing that support is available can help you feel less isolated and better equipped to handle the challenges of life with a newborn.

Learn About Postpartum Mental Health: Educate yourself on postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, and other mental health challenges that can occur after childbirth. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the resources available to you.

Create a Self-Care Routine: While self-care may seem difficult with a newborn, it’s important to make time for yourself. Your routine can be as simple as taking a walk, doing deep breathing, or asking someone to watch the baby while you rest or take a shower. Small acts of self-care can help you recharge and manage stress.

Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management: Engage in stress-relieving activities like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga before and after baby comes. These practices can help you stay grounded and focused through difficult days (and nights) postpartum. Talk to your doctor about safe and effective techniques that could work for you.

Set Boundaries: Establish boundaries with visitors or family members, especially in the early weeks, to preserve your energy and prioritize your healing. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to visitors or social obligations if you need rest or space.

Prepare for the Reality of Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation is common in the early postpartum period. Plan for ways to manage fatigue, like taking naps when the baby naps or asking your partner to help with nighttime feedings.

Communicate with Your Partner: Talk to your partner about your expectations, needs, and any concerns you may have. Open communication can help ensure you’re both on the same page and ready to share the responsibilities that come with parenthood.

Give Yourself Grace: Remember that postpartum is a time of adjustment, and it’s okay not to have everything together. Allow yourself grace as you learn to navigate this new phase of life.

Download Mama Mode: I created and designed Mama Mode as a mom in the thick of raising littles, seeking to equip other new, soon-to-be, and seasoned mamas with the tools and features to lighten the mental load. Get organized with checklists and reminders, care for yourself with meditations and journaling, build your support system with chore distribution and so. Much. More. Try the app with a 7-day free trial and see the difference it can make for you in any stage of motherhood.

By acknowledging the changes and challenges that come with postpartum, building a support network, and prioritizing your wellbeing, you can better prepare for the transition as you adjust to life with your new baby – and life as a new mom!

MAMA MODE | JAN 10, 2025 | MENTAL WELLNESS

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New Year, New Intentions: Cheers to 2025!

Jan 1, 2025 | Mental Wellness

New Year, New Intentions: Cheers to 2025!

If you’ve been watching TV, listening to the news, or scrolling on social media, you’ve likely heard the same old call to make big changes in the new year. The start of the year often brings the pressure to reinvent ourselves, set lofty goals, or commit to sweeping resolutions. But as moms, our obligations only seem to pile up with the end of school breaks and the return to work and daily routines. Ready to bid farewell to the ‘new year, new resolution’ hype? Join the Mama Mode community as we pivot to a ‘new year, new intentions’ mindset.

Why Intentions Over Resolutions?

Resolutions often feel like ultimatums: “Lose the baby weight,” “Wake up earlier,” or “Finally get organized.” They can quickly turn into a source of guilt when met with setbacks, rather than opportunities for growth.

By contrast, intentions are about direction rather than destination. They help you focus on how you want to feel and what you value, rather than just ticking off boxes. Setting intentions rather than resolutions allows us to make sustainable changes that last beyond the first few weeks of the year.

How to Set Intentions as a Mom

Start With Reflection
Take a moment to think about the past year. What brought you joy? What moments made you feel grounded or connected? Which ones drained your energy? Use these reflections as a guide to shape your intentions. If you’ve been journaling with Mama Mode, this would be a great opportunity to read through some of your entries from 2024.

Example: If you loved the rare moments of quiet during nap time, your intention might be to carve out more peaceful pauses for yourself in the new year.

Think Small, Think Gentle
Intentions don’t need to be grand or life-changing. They should feel doable, even on your hardest days.
Examples:

“I will listen to my body and rest when I need to.”

“I will take five minutes each morning to center myself.”

“I will connect with my kids through laughter.”

Focus on Feelings, Not Outcomes
Instead of aiming for a specific accomplishment, think about how you want to feel. Do you want to feel calmer? More present? Less overwhelmed? Let those feelings guide your actions.

Example: If you want to feel more connected to yourself, your intention might be to journal once a week or take a solo walk.

Keep It Visible
Write your intentions down and place them somewhere you’ll see often—a sticky note on your mirror, a whiteboard in your office, or in the routines section of the Mama Mode app.

Be Flexible
Life as a mom is unpredictable. Some weeks you might crush your intentions; other weeks, they may move to the back burner. That’s okay. Remind yourself that intentions are guideposts, not rules.

Intentions to Inspire You

For Self-Care: “I will treat myself with the same kindness I show my children.”

For Connection: “I will spend more time savoring the little moments with my family.”

For Growth: “I will give myself permission to try new things, even if they’re imperfect.”

For Rest: “I will let go of guilt when I take time for myself.”

Supporting Each Other in the New Year

As moms, we thrive when we feel supported and we’ve woven this philosophy into every feature of the Mama Mode app. Share your intentions with a fellow mom friend, or better yet, create a little accountability group where you can cheer each other on. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself and your family in a way that feels good. And if you’d rather go all-in on resolutions? Go for it! There’s no one way to approach the new year.

But if you’re looking for a gentle reminder, this is it. You don’t need a new year to be a “new you.” You are already enough, just as you are. Let’s make 2025 a year of grace, joy, and small steps toward what truly matters most to you.

After the ball drops this year and we sing along to auld lang syne, we’re choosing to usher in 2025 with a positive mindset and an open heart, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way. You’ve got this, mama. Happy New Year!

MAMA MODE | JAN 01, 2025 | MENTAL WELLNESS

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Overcoming the Mental Load of Motherhood: Signs of Burnout and Tips to Lighten Your Load

Nov 18, 2024 | Mental Wellness

Overcoming the Mental Load of Motherhood: Signs of Burnout and Tips to Lighten Your Load

Mom life is nonstop, from the time your morning alarm goes off until your head hits the pillow at night. Schedules, chores, appointments, packing lunches, homework help, feeding, quality time, —it’s all part of the invisible workload of parenting. The mental load of motherhood can be overwhelming and exhausting.

If you’ve been struggling with the mental load, you’re not alone. The weight of constant responsibilities and caring for growing kids can be heavy. The good news? We’ve got tools to help you recognize and manage the mental load so you can reclaim some time for yourself.

What is the Mental Load?

The mental load includes all the cognitive, emotional, and logistical tasks that keep a household running. From remembering to buy more milk to planning activities for the weekend and ensuring homework is done, moms often take on the bulk of this invisible workload. It’s like constantly running a web browser in your mind with dozens of tabs open.

When the mental load gets too heavy, it can lead to stress, exhaustion, and burnout. Recognizing the signs of mental overload is the first step toward taking control and finding ways to lighten your load.

Signs of Burnout from the Mental Load of Motherhood

Constant Fatigue: No matter how much you sleep, you feel tired all the time. This can be a sign that your mind and body are overworked.

Forgetfulness: Finding it hard to remember appointments, dates, or even small daily tasks? Mental fatigue can make even routine tasks seem hard to keep track of.

Feeling Easily Irritated: When the mental load is heavy, you may find yourself feeling more irritable or frustrated than usual.

Difficulty Enjoying Time with Family: Burnout can make it hard to stay present and enjoy moments with your family when your mind is constantly in overdrive.

Lack of Motivation: If you find yourself feeling unmotivated or dreading daily tasks, it could be a sign that you’re overwhelmed by the mental load.

Sound familiar? If you’re experiencing some of these challenges, you may want to consider how to reduce your mental load.

Tips for Reducing the Mental Load

Sometimes even reading about being overwhelmed can be overwhelming. We get it. That’s why each tool in the Mama Mode app was specifically designed to help moms manage the mental load.

1. Prioritize and Delegate

One way to reduce the mental load is to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities. Determine what’s essential and what tasks can be split up. Let kids help set and clear the table, choose a simple, balanced one-pan dinner, and resist the urge to overschedule activities and events throughout the week.

2. Use Mama Mode to Stay Organized

Mama Mode is designed to help moms manage everything in one place, so you don’t have to keep track of everything in your head. With Mama Mode, you can set text message reminders, create daily and weekly routines, track goals, distribute chores, and more.

Set Up Reminders: Mama Mode lets you set gentle reminders for everything from appointments to personal goals. Toggle on and off push notifications and text reminders to keep your calendar clutter free
Organize Chores and Schedules: With Mama Mode, you can manage household chores, family schedules, and to-do lists all in one place. Assign responsibilities to your partner, your mother-in-law, or any other adults in the household.
Set and Track Goals: Whether you’re trying to start your day earlier, move your body more intentionally, or meet professional milestones, Mama Mode can help you set goals and track small wins along the way.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Taking even a few minutes each day for mindfulness or meditation can ease stress and boost mental clarity. Mama Mode has custom meditations designed specifically for moms, helping you find calm even during a hectic day. Use these moments to breathe, clear your mind, and recharge.

4. Set Boundaries and Schedule “Me Time”

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Set aside even a small amount of time each day for yourself. This could be a 10-minute walk, a quick journal session, or simply sitting with a cup of tea in silence. Mama Mode also offers a journaling feature where you can reflect on your day and set positive intentions.

5. Make Use of Routines

Routines provide structure and reduce decision fatigue, making life feel a little more manageable. Mama Mode can help you create and maintain routines for you and your family. Morning routines, bedtime routines, and meal-prep routines are just a few examples of habits that can ease the mental load.

6. Practice Self-Compassion

Last but not least, be kind to yourself. There is no “perfect” way to handle motherhood, and you’re doing an amazing job. Embracing self-compassion can make a huge difference in how you feel. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and take breaks—you deserve it.

The mental load of motherhood is real, but with some mindful practices and the right tools, you can find more balance and joy in your daily life. Mama Mode was created to support moms like you in managing the invisible workload, so you can focus on what matters most: time with your family and taking care of yourself.

Ready to lighten your load? Download Mama Mode and discover how features like reminders, chore management, scheduling, and custom meditations can help you feel more organized, calm, and supported in your journey as a mom.

MAMA MODE | NOV 18, 2024 | MENTAL WELLNESS