Maternity leave is one of the most unique and tender chapters of life. It’s equal parts magical and exhausting, a season where time feels both frozen and fleeting. While the focus often falls on caring for your baby, it’s just as important to care for yourself and lean into the community around you.
When I had my first son in 2018, motherhood swept me off my feet. I remember that season being so heavy. After a traumatic birth experience and the death of a close friend, my maternity leave felt more like survival than rest. I also carried the belief that I had to do it all myself; that being a good mother meant not asking for help.
Seven years later, welcoming my second son, the experience felt lighter. I was able to slow down, savor the small moments, and allow myself to accept help. It reminded me that maternity leave isn’t one-size-fits-all and cannot only look different from mom to mom, but also from child to child.
Here are some gentle reminders to help you soak up this time:
Soak in the Newborn Bubble
Those first few weeks are unlike anything else. Let yourself live in that cozy, blurry bubble where the world slows down and the snuggles are endless. The laundry, emails, and to-do lists can wait. Babies don’t stay tiny for long. Give yourself permission to simply be.
For me this looked like staying in one spot on the couch for long stretches of the day and soaking in the snuggles with my baby instead of bouncing from task to task. It meant responding to messages on my own time, not feeling pressured to be available at every moment. It also meant reminding myself over and over that I was healing too and that slowing down was productive.
Accept the Food
If someone offers to drop off dinner, send a gift card, or organize a meal train . . . say yes! Truly. I had a friend set one up for us, and it was such a blessing. Having meals delivered meant we could focus on bonding with our baby instead of worrying about what was for dinner.
Accepting help isn’t weakness, it’s community. It’s letting yourself be supported in a season where you’re healing, adjusting, and learning how to care for new life. It’s remembering you don’t have to carry everything alone, and that letting people step in doesn’t make you less capable . . . it creates connection. We were never meant to do motherhood in isolation. Saying yes to help is receiving love, not failing.
Let People Help With Your Older Kids
It truly takes a village, and it’s okay to let yours show up for you. The breaks I got when someone took my older son swimming, to the arcade, or to the park gave me time to rest, recover, and soak in newborn cuddles without the guilt of feeling the need to entertain my oldest.
And the gift went both ways. While my husband and I were home finding our rhythm with a new baby, our son was out making memories with friends and cousins. He wasn’t missing out–he was being deeply poured into. Knowing he was happy and cared for made it easier to slow down and be fully present in those newborn moments.
Allow Yourself to Rest
Find your favorite spot on the couch, wrap up in a blanket, find a show to binge, and call it self-care. Some of my go-to shows during maternity leave were The Hunter’s Wives, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Sullivan’s Crossing, and Magnolia Table. There’s something comforting about holding your baby while watching something cozy and easy to follow. It’s the perfect mix of rest and comfort.
Release Productivity Pressure
During my first maternity leave, I filled every moment trying to stay busy. Worried I was holding the baby too much, afraid that slowing down meant I was doing something wrong. But the truth is, we don’t need to “make the most” of every day by doing more. Resting is productive. Healing your body, bonding with your baby, and nurturing your spirit matter so much more than checking boxes off a list. You’re doing enough, even when it looks like you’re “doing nothing.”
Stay Present Instead of Worrying Ahead
It’s easy to let thoughts of returning to work creep in and cast a shadow over your leave. But you deserve to enjoy this time fully, without guilt or countdowns. During maternity leave, your only job is to be present with your baby and nurture yourself.
When worrying starts to creep in, take some deep breaths and bring yourself back to the present moment. Remind yourself that your current job is to take care of your baby and yourself. Oh, and make sure you take the work email off of your phone!
Consider Hiring a Postpartum Doula
If it’s within your means, hiring a postpartum doula can make an incredible difference in your postpartum recovery. The doula team I hired was such a source of comfort and grounding for me. They supported me not only physically, but also emotionally and helped with baby care tips, light household tasks, and those little things that make such a big impact. Having that extra layer of support allowed me to rest more deeply and truly be present.
Maternity leave isn’t just about the baby, it’s also about you. It’s about leaning on your circle, giving yourself grace, and letting whatever your day looks like be enough. When you look back, it won’t be the clean kitchen or the folded laundry that you remember. It will be the memories of your baby curled up on your chest, and the community who held you through it.
