Top 3 Ways to Prepare for Postpartum Emotionally
Have you ever thought about how to prepare emotionally for postpartum? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the checklist of physical prep: setting up the nursery, packing the hospital bag, reading all the baby books. But the emotional side of postpartum? That’s something that often gets overlooked—and it’s just as essential if not more.
What You Will Learn in This Blog Post:
How to tune into your emotional needs so you’re not caught off-guard
Why building a support system now is key to feeling grounded later
Affirmations for when you feel overwhelmed
I want you to feel ready, confident, and supported not just physically but emotionally, too. I’ve been there, and I know that becoming a mom is one of those life journeys that deeply affects your heart and mind.
Here are a few strategies you can start practicing now, so you’re equipped to face the emotional ups and downs postpartum can bring with confidence.
1. Get Clear on Your Emotional Needs
Knowing what you need is the first step to a strong emotional foundation postpartum. Start by asking yourself some key questions: What helps you feel calm? Who in your life makes you feel safe and understood? What parts of your day feel restorative to you? You’re creating a support network by figuring out these answers before postpartum, so when things feel overwhelming, you’ll have a clear sense of what and who can bring you back to center.
Practical Tip: Set aside a few quiet moments each week to reflect on what you need and how you feel—think of it like a mini check-in with yourself. If journaling helps, keep a small notebook handy where you can jot down any thoughts, feelings, or even fears you’re experiencing.
2. Build Your Postpartum Support System
Building a support system is key to navigating postpartum emotionally. Think about the people you trust the most—the ones who will listen without judgment and genuinely lift you up. These might be family members, friends, or even a postpartum doula. Don’t wait until after the baby arrives; reach out to them now about the kind of support you might need, whether it’s emotional, practical, or both. You might be surprised at how eager people are to help if they know how.
Practical Tip: Make a list of three people you can reach out to for support, and let them know you’ll be leaning on them in the postpartum period. This could be for anything from bringing a meal to simply lending an ear. Having these conversations now will give you peace of mind and a solid support network.
3. Prepare for Overwhelming Moments with Mantras and Mental Strategies
There will be moments postpartum that feel overwhelming. Those moments when you’re exhausted, or questioning your abilities, or even facing intrusive thoughts that you weren’t expecting. One way to prepare for this is by creating a few simple mantras or affirmations that you can lean on in those moments. Practicing them ahead of time can help them feel natural and grounding when you need them most.
A few affirmations to try:
“My needs are just as important as my baby’s.”
“I can do hard things—and I can ask for help when they feel too hard.”
“I am growing and evolving, just like my baby.”
“I choose to be gentle with myself.”
These affirmations remind you that you’re doing the best you can and that it’s okay to need time, patience, and self-compassion.
The Emotional Preparation
Preparing for postpartum emotionally is just as crucial as any of the physical preparations. By tuning into your emotional needs, building a strong support system, and equipping yourself with mantras and mental strategies for those tough moments, you’re giving yourself the tools to navigate postpartum with resilience.
Ready to dive deeper? Download my guide, POSTPARTUM ON PURPOSE: A GUIDE TO TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR WELL-BEING, and start building your personalized postpartum plan. You deserve all the care and support to make this journey as smooth and empowering as possible.
Before you leave, make sure to download your free guide!
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Have you ever stopped to think about what happens after you bring your little one home? Sure, you’ve probably nailed down the nursery, picked out your birth plan, and bought all the cute baby clothes (that will likely be covered in spit-up). But here’s the thing: The postpartum period can be just as important as the pregnancy itself—if not more. And yet, it's often overlooked.