
We talk a lot about preparing for birth—creating plans, taking classes, and gathering support—but what happens after the baby arrives? The postpartum period, often called the “fourth trimester,” is a time of immense transition for both your body and your family.
Why Rest Matters during Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum is a time for healing! Your body has done something incredible: you’ve grown and birthed a baby. But birth doesn’t mark the end of that journey—it’s just the beginning of recovery.
In the days, weeks, and even months after birth, your body needs time to heal.
Physically: Your uterus is shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size, tissues are repairing, and if you’ve had a cesarean or tears, your body is recovering from those as well.
Emotionally: Hormones are shifting, and you’re adjusting to new routines, feeding your baby, and processing the experience of birth itself.
When you give yourself permission to rest, you allow your body to do this healing work. Rest is not laziness.
However, for some parents, rest is a luxury they can’t afford. You may be navigating postpartum recovery while working, caring for older children, or managing your household. If you don’t have access to paid leave, a partner, or a supportive community, finding time for rest can feel out of reach. So, It’s important to redefine what rest looks like.
Rest doesn’t have to mean long, uninterrupted hours of sleep—though that would be ideal! But, it does mean slowing down intentionally. I know how easy it is to jump back into “doing it all.” You might feel pressure to clean, host visitors, or even “bounce back” to pre-pregnancy life. But pushing yourself too hard can:
Prolong your healing process.
Increase fatigue and overwhelm.
Impact your mental health, leading to burnout or anxiety.
So, here are some practical ways to focus on and prioritize rest:
1. Take Short Breaks and Focus on Basic Needs
Finding moments to rest can feel impossible in the postpartum period, but even a five-minute pause can make a difference. Take a moment to sit down, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. During that pause, ask yourself: Have I eaten or had a drink of water today? Then prioritize addressing your basic needs.
If you can, try to nap when your baby or other children are napping. But if you're like me and can’t relax knowing there are chores to do, choose one task to complete before the day ends—AFTER you’ve taken care of yourself. Be kind to yourself if you don’t get to it; grace is key.
If your baby doesn’t want to be put down, babywearing can be a game changer. Wearing your baby keeps your hands free so you can tackle small tasks and ease that looming mental to-do list. This can make it easier to truly rest when you get the chance, knowing you’ve already handled a few responsibilities.
2. Accept Help and Delegate
When someone offers help, say yes. Assign tasks to friends and family members. Let them handle meals, laundry, or childcare while you focus on yourself and your baby.
If you have a partner, have an open conversation about expectations for newborn care. Who will handle what throughout the day? Your primary focus should be caring for yourself and the baby. Some families even choose to outsource household tasks, if possible, to give both you and your partner a break. Every bit of help counts.
3. Release Expectations and Redefine Rest
In the early weeks and months, babies often need constant closeness. Rest might look different than you imagined—and that’s okay. Sometimes rest is letting your baby nap on you while you read a book, binge-watch a favorite show, or scroll through social media.
Rest can also mean eating your favorite snacks while feeding your baby or simply sitting comfortably in a quiet moment. It’s easy to feel pressure to “get everything done,” but remember: if you fed yourself, fed your baby (and maybe other children), and managed to sneak in a nap, you were successful.
The dishes and laundry can wait. Your well-being is the priority.
So, focus on the basics: Nourish your body with food and water, sleep when you can, and avoid “pushing through” when you feel tired.
It’s easy to forget that postpartum recovery is just as important as birth itself. You deserve time to heal, bond with your baby, and adjust to this new chapter without pressure to “do it all.”
If you’re preparing for postpartum, I encourage you to create a plan for rest and support. Surround yourself with people who honor your recovery and remind you that slowing down is not only okay—it’s necessary.
Looking for Postpartum Support?
If you want to feel cared for, supported, and rested during your postpartum journey, I’d love to help. As a doula, I provide families with the emotional and practical support they need to heal and thrive.
Request a free doula consultation here!
Let’s make your postpartum period one of healing, rest, and care—for both you and your family.
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