Are you in postpartum recovery? Fell into a baby-cocoon? Locked in the world of your newborn? Here is why resting in your baby-cocoon is necessary for your postpartum recovery.
I went into a baby-cocoon and I didn’t look back, but let me explain…
When I finally got out of the hospital with my new baby boy, I cried. It was a cry of relief. I was thankful to be out of the hospital with a healthy baby. And I, myself not feeling great but thankful to God that we were out. We picked up my 4-year-old, Potato from my mother’s, and went home.
When we got home I got first-hand experience of how hard it is to have two small children. There was crying, laughing, loud noises, and things spread everywhere throughout the house. We were semi-prepared to be home with a newborn. But of course, our home solely held one kid for 4 years, so it was all a change. I was exhausted but happy to be in our home.
I knew we wouldn’t be coming home to the life we lived before the hospital but a new one that would we create as we go. The first night came with challenges. This included adjusting to a newborn all over again. Also making sure we reaffirmed 4yr old Potato’s place in the family and as a new big brother.
Forming the baby-cocoon
Your body is exhausted from pregnancy. Then labor and delivery and then a newborn crying for food every 2 hours. To add on top of that my 4yo still claimed the attention that he was used to. This meant still asking us to play transformers with him even though I was feeding his brother.
The night we returned home from the hospital was a school night; so we spent time unpacking and preparing for school the next day. When we finally got them both down to sleep, I was up again in 2hours to breastfeed and pump my engorged breast.
I felt nervous, tired, strong, taken care of, and blessed. As we tackled the first day and then the next, we made adjustments since we were more prepared to do this the second time around. I was still walking into everything knowing this was a new life we were experiencing.
Settling into my postpartum baby-cocoon
As we continued to tackle days, just like that I settled into a baby-cocoon. I got comfortable with tending to the needs of my baby, my toddler, my husband, my home, or myself. Let go of my phone, the pull of social media, other apps, or even emails; the demands of others for communication, pictures, and updates. I needed a space to breathe. Home felt safe. It became my place of healing both physically and mentally. I spoke with God often and rested my mind and body.
I took the time to check if I was ready to enter back into the world. If I was ready to explain to my friends and other family members where my mind had been this whole time. It took some time but I finally felt like I was in a place to let people in. I felt I could come up for air. Not completely weighed down by everything I was going through.
If you’ve recently returned home from giving birth or if you’ve been home for a while like me and you’re in a baby-cocoon, let this be your sign to not rush back to the world.
Leaving your postpartum baby-cocoon
Here are 3 things to consider when figuring out if you’re ready:
- Have you taken enough time to rest and heal both mentally and physically?
- Check in with yourself first. Ask yourself if you’re ready to let people into your world? Are you ready to share?
- Figure out when it’s time to come up for air. Are you ready for questions from others?
Move at a pace that feels right for you.
For the Win (conclusion)
Don’t ever be afraid to take the time you need for yourself or your family as a Mother. You’ve got to be right within yourself before you can be right for others. There is no harm in being in a baby-cocoon. We all deal with postpartum differently and sometimes space for healing is good for the soul. Happy healing Mom!
From Kiki,
With love💛
