Ya girl is baaaack — and now with two kids!
Before diving into my postpartum journey the second time around and sharing the lessons I’ve learned, I want to start by celebrating anyone who has ever gone through pregnancy and postpartum. We hear all the time that it’s “hard,” but honestly, that’s an understatement. The mental, emotional, and physical energy it takes to grow a human — let alone raise one while navigating a completely new version of yourself and your life — is indescribable.
The transition into motherhood, especially the first time, can be filled with emotions we aren’t prepared for, making us feel like we must be doing something wrong. But hear me out: you’re doing everything right. These feelings are temporary, and you are doing amazing — ¡lo estás haciendo muy bien!
My first postpartum experience was exactly what I just described — overwhelming, scary, and nothing like I expected. After a 40-hour labor, I ended up having a c-section, and my baby spent an entire month in the NICU. I was NOT prepared to leave the hospital without my baby. I was terrified of losing him and overwhelmed with thoughts that maybe I had made a mistake. At one point, I even fantasized about running off to Europe on a one-way flight to escape the weight of everything I was feeling. I know, I know — you’re probably like, “Girl, what?!” But please don’t judge. The baby blues are real. They bring irrational thoughts that don’t feel like “you,” but the physical and emotional intensity can make them feel so real.
As wild as that all sounds, it’s normal. And thankfully, with my second — who’s now three months old (I still can’t believe it!) — I was better prepared for what postpartum would bring. So when the waves of sadness and anxiety came, I didn’t panic. Instead, I allowed myself to feel them, and surprisingly, surrendering to the process helped everything pass more quickly. By two months postpartum — and after a second c-section — I finally felt like myself again.
So mentally and emotionally, the bounce back was a win. Physically, it went smoother than the first time too. All this to say: becoming a new mom is hard and scary because no one can truly prepare you for the rollercoaster you’re stepping onto. Every baby, pregnancy, and postpartum journey is different — which means every birth is also the birth of a new version of you.
Postpartum burnout
I see you, amiga.
The brain fog from sleep deprivation. The struggle to function beyond your basic needs. Getting irritated by people just existing near you, and then feeling guilty for it. Wanting so badly to get into a routine because happy mom = happy baby, but it feels impossible to find time for yourself. Wondering if you’ll ever reconnect with the things you used to love — your hobbies, your passions.
I see you… because I am you.
We gotta give ourselves grace and time
Here’s your permission slip to give yourself grace.
Breathe. Stop trying to do everything at once. Let go of spiraling thoughts about the future or regrets about the past — you don’t have control over either. What you do have control over is today. And today is the foundation for tomorrow.
Because here’s the truth: physical recovery from childbirth takes time — not a month, not even two. It can take a year or more. On top of that, you’re caring for a brand new human, trying to maintain your home, preparing to go back to work, and returning to your relationships as someone who feels completely different.
There’s so much pressure to “bounce back” quickly, especially when we see others on social media seemingly doing it all just two weeks postpartum. But remember: you’re only seeing a highlight reel.
Take me, for example. I feel pretty good two months postpartum. It seems like I’ve bounced back quickly — and in some ways, I have. But physically, my scar area is still numb. I can fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans, but my belly still bulges due to diastasis recti. Mentally and emotionally? I still disassociate sometimes. I’m often just going through the motions, not as intentional as I’d like to be. I have no routine yet, and I’m already back at work. The last half of my maternity leave was rough, filled with unexpected challenges that shook my sense of stability. Yet, to the outside world, it might look like I’ve “bounced back.”
Exhibit A of fake “bounce back”. It may look like I have it all together but this outfit was a look good, feel good moment cause your girl was going through it – instability, uncertainty, and lots of waiting in this season despite what it looks like from the outside.
But what does that even mean?
“Bouncing back” is subjective. You can’t rely on someone else’s version of it to validate your own progress. Instead, rely on the truth:
You are strong. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God gave you everything you need for this exact moment.
There is so much power in that.
How to manage and prevent burnout
Adjust Expectations
You don’t have to do it all — and certainly not all at once. Prioritize what matters most to you. Focus on your top 1–2 priorities and let those guide your daily choices. Everything else can be spaced out and tackled one thing at a time.
Prioritize Rest and Recovery
Please sleep when you can. Nap when the baby naps (sometimes, yes, it is possible). Hand the baby off to your partner if you can. Ask for help. A well-rested mama can do more in an hour than a sleep-deprived one can in a day.
Set Boundaries
Say no. Protect your energy. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but if you want to offer one, that’s okay too. Modeling boundaries isn’t just for your sake — it teaches your children that saying no is healthy and respectable.
Ask for and Accept Help
I struggle with this one. I have an amazing support system, but I hate asking for help. I feel guilty, like I have to repay every kind gesture. But the truth is: the people who love you aren’t keeping score. So let’s do better. Ask for help — and more importantly, accept it when it’s offered.
Simplify Your Routine
Keep. It. Simple.
Healthy breakfasts don’t have to be fancy — boil some eggs, wash some fruit. Don’t wait for the perfect planner — use your phone’s notes app. Don’t stress about a full workout — walk to the park, do a few squats, and call it a win. It’s not hard, amiga — we just make it harder than it needs to be.
Make Time for Yourself
This is a game changer. Even 30 minutes before your babies wake up can make a difference. Take a peaceful shower. Go on a solo walk. Pray. Journal. Whatever fills your cup — do that. I don’t do this every day, but when I do? The shift in my attitude is major.
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (psalm 118:24)
Motherhood is chaos — especially in those early months. It’s full of interruptions and curveballs. But right there, in the mess, is where we learn to let go, build resilience, and flow with life instead of fighting it.
Start celebrating progress over perfection. Maybe you only finished half your workout — but at least you showed up. You didn’t finish writing the whole song — but at least you strung together the chorus. Motherhood is the hood of “at least”:
“At least I started.”
“At least I tried.”
“At least I did what I could.”
That mindset will carry you further than any to-do list ever will.
Find joy in this season – keyword: find. Because even if it’s messy and loud and nothing like what you expected there’s nothing a little gratitude can’t shift.
Creative projects can wait. That next idea can wait. But your babies at this exact age? That moment won’t come again.
And that’s not to guilt anyone — sometimes, you do need time away. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. If your intentions are rooted in love, growth, and becoming a better version of yourself for your family — then that’s what matters most.
Final thoughts
If anything in this blog post resonated with you, please know: you are not alone. I’m right here with you. And most importantly, God sees you.
Remember — to whom much is given, much is required. These challenges are refining you. They are preparing you for greater things.
So ask for help. Lean on your village. The people who love you want to be there for you.
Echémosle ganas, amigas.
Como mamás, siempre encontramos la forma de seguir adelante — porque así tiene que ser.
No te rindas.
Mereces todo lo que tienes… y más.
— Jesse
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