Hindsight is 20/20: My Postpartum Reflections

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Coming Home

Me with my oldest

Looking back on my postpartum periods brings a smile to my face and makes my heart all warm and fuzzy. Not because they were perfect—far from it—but because now I'm older, wiser, and truly understand that hindsight is 20/20.

The night I came home from the hospital with my first son, I sat on the edge of the bed and cried. I mean, I CRIED! It was the kind of ugly cry that comes from deep inside and makes sounds you didn’t even know you could make. I remember thinking, “How could they let me leave the hospital? I have no idea what to do with this baby!”

I was struggling with breastfeeding, I couldn’t get him to stay asleep, I was beyond exhausted, and I was in pain. I was in pure survival mode.

Neglecting Myself (and Learning the Hard Way)

Back then, I couldn’t even think about taking care of myself. I barely ate unless my husband was home from work to remind me. At just 17 days postpartum, I ended up spending the night in the ER with mastitis. I was so dehydrated that they wouldn’t release me until I received a few bags of fluids.

And even then? My biggest worry was about the safety of my breastmilk, not my own health.

That experience taught me an invaluable lesson: You cannot pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself to take care of your baby!

A Different Story the Second Time Around

When I gave birth to my twins just 15 months later, I did things differently.

I ate.

I drank water.

I accepted help.

Women from my church came over while my husband was at work. They cared for my toddler, washed dishes, folded laundry, vacuumed, and brought dinners ready to pop in the oven. These beautiful souls were my saving grace.

They were moms.

They knew what I needed.

They showed up.

They saw me.

They mothered me.

Why New Moms Need to Be Mothered, Too

Mothering is exactly what new mothers need.

We need to be:

• Fed nourishing, healing foods

• Loved on and cared for

• Encouraged to rest (especially when we insist we don’t need it)

• Helped with chores and everyday tasks

• Mentored, guided, and encouraged

  
  

We need time.

• Time to bond with our babies.

• Time to learn how to feed and soothe them.

• Time to listen and respond to all their little sounds.

• Time to come into our own as mothers.

• Time for our bodies—and our hearts—to heal.

My Encouragement to You

If you're in the thick of postpartum right now, or if you're preparing for it, please hear this:

✨ Rest.

✨ Nourish yourself.

✨ Accept help.

✨ Give yourself the time you need to heal and adjust.

You will thank yourself later. I promise!

And one day, you may look back—like I'm doing now—with tenderness, laughter, and maybe even a little awe at how far you’ve come.

From my heart to yours,

Sumer