One of the least talked about topics when youโre having a baby is the fourth trimester and postpartum recovery.ย
The moment the baby is bornโthe magic of a new tiny human in our lives takes over, but this doesnโt mean moms arenโt still dealing with a lot of stress. Giving birth causes massive changes to happen in the body and emotions can be at an all time high as mothers are in the midst of post partum recovery.ย
ย While mom influencers on social media may show us well-lit and effortless pictures of her vacationing with their newborn, the reality is postpartum actually feels like a mix of contradictory and confusing emotions where you can feel exhausted and happy, beautiful and insecure and in pain and ecstatic all at the same time.ย
Your postpartum journey is all about realizing that two contrasting feelingsย can coexist. Like the incredible joy of holding your sweet newborn whileย not being able to set aside the baby blues. Like being so proud of whatย your body is capable of, yet feeling so unfamiliar with it. The period ofย postpartum feels like being in unknown territory, but being so glad youโreย there.ย ย
As a new mom myself, the first few weeks after giving birth were some ofย the hardest days Iโve experiencedโand no one prepared me for it. I wouldย argue that experiencing postpartum was even harder than giving birth. Yes, there were tons of resources around what to do when you bring a baby home, but Iย was still left questioning how to take care of myself, both physically andย mentally. The journey of postpartum recovery is long and hard for some,ย and quick for othersโwhatever your case might be, here are someย reminders to take note of as you navigate this new phase of life.ย ย
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Here are 11 things I wish I knew about postpartum recovery sooner.ย ย
1. Rest is essentialย ย
As a new mom, youโve probably already heard everyone telling you howย much sleep youโre going to lose soonโplease, donโt let that mess withย your mind. Rest is essential, and the quickest way for your body toย recover. Allow your body and mind to rest each day. That might lookย different for each of us. Some days, itโs making sure you take a nap whileย someone you trust stays with the baby, or taking a soothing bath. Restย should be one of your top priorities in your postpartum recovery journey.
2. You might still look pregnantย ย
The hard reality is: there is no quick bounceback. The baby bump doesnโt disappear completely even after youโve given birth. While some bodies recover quicker than others, it doesnโt mean the former is better than the latter. Remind yourself everyday of the incredible things your body has done for you and your babyโthere is no greater blessing than honoring yourself and your body for creating, and sustaining life.ย ย
So remember, it is completely normal to not immediately fit into yourย favorite jeans or your favorite topโbut that day isnโt too far. For now,ย remember to focus on the snuggles, because that newborn phase flies byย quick!ย
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3. Feel your feelings, sisย ย
The dramatic drop in your hormones right after you have your baby is theย reason you might be thinking not-so-nice thoughts, or having a majorย breakdown every time the sun setsโdonโt push these feelings down. Feelย them, talk about them, seek help and talk to a therapist. The most important thing to know is you ย are not your thoughts. There is a reason you are having scary, unnaturalย thoughts, and itโs all part of the postpartum process. Itโs a scary place toย be in, but I promise you, itโs all temporary. For now, ground yourself in theย truth, love on your baby and stay close to the ones you love.ย
IMP: Please reach out to a loved one and/or therapist if you areย experiencing signs of Postpartum Depression or Postpartum Anxiety.ย There is help available for you, and you are entitled to every bit of it.ย ย
4. Hair loss is heartbreaking, but I have good newsย ย
Itโs hard to admit but one of the most embarrassing and heartbreakingย things was losing hair. Having your hair done, even if your makeup + outfitย isnโt making you feel put togetherโthe girls that get it, get it. So losing hairย was such a helpless experience to go through.ย ย
But good things come in pretty packages, I believe. Specifically round, pink, pretty packages. Theseย Fourth Trimester clip in hair extensionsย have saved me from feeling embarrassed about my hair and empowered me to feel like my best self on the not-so-pretty days. I wear the shade Off Black for a natural everyday look. Scroll right down to see why I love and choose to wear these clip-ins for my postpartum days.ย ย
5. You will feel like yourself againย
When youโre in the thick of it, it feels like you will never be yourself again.ย Like youโve lost who you are. Your body and mind feel a little bit alien, butย trust me when I say, it all comes back. Enjoy the season youโre in rightย nowโsoak up the newborn cuddles, and late night feeds. Thrive in theย fact that you are stepping into a new version of yourselfโthere is so muchย benefit in seeing yourself for all youโre becoming instead of holding on toย who you were in the past.ย ย
6. Dressing up feels goodย ย
Even if youโre staying home with the baby all day, dress up. I know itโsย easier said than done, but trust me when I say it will change your day,ย Wear your favorite sweatsuit, or matching lounge setโfeeling put togetherย automatically gives you the dopamine boost you need. Some days youย just wonโt feel like getting out of bed, but on other days, spend those fiveย minutes fully focused on yourself. Put on your concealer, clip in theย extensions, spritz on your favorite perfume; every little action helps.ย
7. Postpartum recovery is for your mind tooย ย
Donโt set aside your mental health, remember that your mind needs just asย much attention as your body in your postpartum recovery journey. Hereย are a few simple things you can do everyday:ย
- Practice gratitude every morningย
- Get outside, go on a walk around the block
- Set healthy boundaries with visitors and family
- Talk about your journey as a new momโconnect on online new mom groups,ย your friends or family.ย ย
8. The chores can waitย ย
Youโre probably processing a million things a minute right nowโbutย remember to stay present. The dishes can wait, the laundry can wait. Thisย is your time to rest, reset and fully engage with your baby. Donโt sweat theย small stuff. Getting caught in worrying about clothes, dishes, laundry willย only take up unwanted space in your mind. Instead, let your heart leadย you. Soak up the newborn cuddles (it goes by quick!), there will always beย time to fix the house.ย
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9. You make the best decisionsย ย
As soon as you become a mom, the flood of advice directed at you isย sometimes overwhelming. This is the perfect time to practice and engageย in your mom instinctโfor you and your baby. Remember that you knowย best when it comes to making decisions for, and taking care of yourselfย and your baby. Take the advice, but do whatโs best for you.ย
10. This time is all about you and your babyย
Use this time to fully be present with your babyโget in lots of skin-to-skin interactions,ย soak up every sound, enjoy every little smile. We end up missing these preciousย moments because weโre worried about the way our bodies look. Take time to remind yourself that your body is running its natural course. It willย recover, you will feel like yourself again.ย ย
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11. Your postpartum journey is uniqueย ย
With celebrities, influencers and fellow moms now posting their journey onย social media, it can be easy to compare your journey, your progress toย theirs. Remember that every body recovers at their own paceโyour journey is only yours. So while you wait for your hair to grow out, wear theย extensions to feel better. While you wait to feel strong and workout again,ย go out on walks to feel energizedโdo the little thatโs good for you rightย now.ย ย
5 Reasons I Choose to Wear the Fourth Trimester Clip In Extensionsย
1.ย It takes me less than 5 minutes to put onย ย
2. They blend seamlessly, so it 100% feels like my natural hair
3. There is no damage, so there is no obstruction while I re-grow my hairย
4. It's a subtle yet powerful confidence boostย
5. CELEBRATE A NEW YOU โจ
This is your time to step into a new youโthe shift when you become a parent.ย This is your journey to discover another version of yourself, soak it all in. It isย new and unfamiliar territory, as you learn your newborns cues, find a newย schedule and set a new pace for your life with a little human.ย ย
These fourth trimester hair extensions were made with you in mind. To help in this journey to feeling like yourself again. Postpartum hair loss is natural, and Luxyโs solution for this is here to aid you while you continue to care for yourย natural hair.ย ย
Looking for more hair advice and styling tips for moms?ย Subscribe to our newsletterย to step up your hair game.ย
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