Savvy Sophistication

Hey mamas,

Especially new mamas or seasoned mamas with a new baby. Has anyone told you how amazing you are today? Well let me start the conversation with letting you know that you are cherished, and well loved by God. You are the most amazing mama on the planet! My youngest I say “baby” just turned three, and I was going through photos and reminded of my own personal motherhood journey. I remember feeling super seasoned because my oldest is six, and even though she is adopted I have helped raised her since she was a baby. So diapers, late night bottle feedings, late night rocking, and all of that jazz wasn’t new. However, postpartum was most definitely a journey. I wanted to share some things I wish I knew for new moms, and maybe encouragement for seasoned moms with new babies. I also want to ask how are you doing? Everyone gets excited (as they should be) for the new baby, but sometimes we forget to check on mom. So I’m going to do that in this post as well.

Welcoming the New Motherhood Journey

The Importance of Postpartum

Hey moms let’s be honest, postpartum is world rocking. Our bodies are different, our emotions are different, and we have this new beautiful little baby we are getting to know. Postpartum is important because we are stepping into our motherhood lifestyle. We are changing, but it is all for the good of being that amazing mama that you truly are. It’s hard sometimes accepting change, but this change ultimately pushes us forward into perseverance and toughness that we need to master becoming a mama. When you are feeling weak, down, tired, like a new person, or just downright exhausted remember that God has a calling and purpose on your motherhood journey. It is all to serve his kingdom, and that you will come out of postpartum gloriously to serve his plan. Keep your eyes focused forward on him especially in those days of being in the valley during postpartum.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Give yourself Love & Care

Postpartum Care,

Physical Recovery, & Emotional Well-being

Your new little baby is so very important, but mama you cannot pour from an empty cup. You are very important too, so let’s talk self care. However, let’s talk realistic self care. Especially for moms on maternity leave, or stay at home moms this can be a challenge. Self care for new moms isn’t nail or hair appointment or going to get a massage. By all means if you have support and you’re able to do those things that’s amazing. This is for the moms that have a spouse that is working full time or family support is limited. Our self care looks a little different and that is okay too! Have you showered today? When was the last time you washed your hair? When was the last time you put on your favorite moisturizer? Let’s do that. Let’s set that goal. Take 20 minutes skip out on laundry or major cleaning and do 20 minutes for yourself. Listen to me right now it is OKAY if laundry is piled up, it is okay if there are dishes in the sink. Every single mom has been here. For the super moms that are keeping up with cleaning and are feeling great that’s awesome. For my mamas that have had a C-section or trauma based delivery let’s set our goals to have a happy, clean, and well fed baby. PLUS, a clean, happy, and well fed mama. Let the laundry and dusting take a back seat for those first 8 weeks. I’m not saying ignore it, but don’t be hard on yourself if it takes you a little bit to get to it. Also, let’s talk about the biggest word and theme for this paragraph and that is GRACE. Give yourself grace, because everything about your body and your hormones has changed and it’s adjusting to getting back to those original hormones prior to pregnancy. You will not fit back in those jeans right now, and that’s okay. You will not get all of the sleep you need, but this time will pass. Most importantly, you will not be the same ever again, and right now that’s scary. Trust this process because it will make you into a stronger more confident you if you let it. This “new” you doesn’t have to be scary. It can be the opportunity you need to step into the woman god has created you to be.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on. your own understanding; in all your ways submit to. Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Practical Tips for Self-Love

Self-Care Essentials

Self love is essential and loving your mom journey is important. I like to journal and I like to do Bible based journaling. This doesn’t have to be an expensive book from target it can be just a notebook from the dollar section. There are apps on your phone that you can download to access the Bible if you do not have one. Exploring our days and connecting it with scripture can be a self care essential. It can change our outlook, and improve our mindset. It can push us forward. This doesn’t have to be done daily, but once a week is a great start. Another form of self care could be an Epsom salt bath. Especially for C-section mamas this can help a ton after you have healed and cleared from your physician. Even if you haven’t had a cesarean this can still make you feel your best. It can relax your muscles and reduce inflammation in the body. Which can in return make you feel better. Self care can even be continuing your prenatal vitamins. So that your body is still getting great nutrients, and while your hormones are changing at least the important minerals are still there. Great vitamins also include magnesium, vitamin D, and if your iron deficiency is low still take those iron supplements! Also, find one thing that makes you happy and do it once a week. Find a favorite tv show, go for a walk, or take a bubble bath.

Nurturing Your Baby With the Most Important Thing: Love

The most important part during this process is just loving on your sweet baby. Take care of yourself and focus on bonding with your new precious little one. Listen to your mom instincts. I had an amazing breast feeding consultant and she gave me so much love and encouragement. I also had a super awesome support team of aunts, family friends, and cousins that had so much wonderful information about breastfeeding. Then I would go to my son’s pediatrician visits and listen to a man who had never breastfed a baby give advice, and it was counterproductive to what I had been already told. So my advice is to just listen to your inner mama instincts. You know your body and your baby better than anyone else. Advocate for your baby! You know and love this precious child because you have nurtured and cared for 40 weeks, and brought them into the world. Spend this postpartum time doing the same. Nurture and love your baby, and be their voice.

Strengthening the Parental Bond

Communicating with Your Partner

Your partner is a parent too. I’m very blessed to have a very active husband. He is a very good and loving dad. He takes his role as dad seriously, and he has helped me a ton. I think within my generation statistically men are changing more diapers, are more active with bath times, and participating in regular feeding. This is an important conversation to have. Deciding roles and responsibilities is important. My husband did work through out my entire postpartum period. However, it did not stop him from changing diapers. Taking turns helping during the night. Even though I breastfed he helped keep my breastfeeding pump and bottles clean. We always did bath time together because it was just too adorable to miss for either of us. When he came home he would make sure I had time to eat, and take a shower, or take some time getting some fresh air. The biggest component here is communication in a loving way, and being understanding. I understood when he worked a long day with overtime that I had to push through and make things happen that day. It’s a learning curve, but everyone has to pull their weight. This time doesn’t last very long so just remember to pray for your marriage or your partner, and enjoy it while you can. The little things really don’t matter, and that’s something I wish I would have spent less time worrying about. Even if this isn’t your first baby, but your third, or your fourth! Don’t forget about your partner they’re experiencing a life change too. Becoming a dad (even a dad of two) can be just as challenging and remember to give them some grace as well.

Grace is; even though, when I fail, I don’t deserve it, try again, it’s overwhelming, it doesn’t make sense, the greatest gift to others. Grace is all of the things. It is everything.

Embracing the Journey Ahead

This journey is what I call the long short. In the beginning it feels so long, but then time starts to roll on with the day to day, and soon enough it’s gone. Babies don’t keep, and they aren’t here for very long before they become toddlers, and preschoolers, and high schoolers. Then here we are crying asking God where did it go? It just does. In a blink of an eye. Soon your nights will be filled with sleep, and your house will be spotless, and your home empty and quiet. Your motherhood journey will have almost ended, and theirs begin. So to this I pray for you mama that even though it is new and scary that you step into motherhood with a new perspective. That you are in this journey because God has placed you here. That every detail has a meaning, and every bit of it makes you a seasoned mother. That you are worthy of all of the things, and it will all come together perfectly imperfect in his timing.

With big hugs and lots of love,

Corey

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?

2 

My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 

indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 

the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;

8 

the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.