Tag: Mental Health

The Postpartum Period: What I Wish Every Mama Knew (Plus My Amazon Must-Haves)

On By Brittany PinterIn Mental HealthLeave a comment

The postpartum period… whew. No matter how many babies you’ve had, nothing prepares you for the emotional, physical, and mental rollercoaster that hits the moment your little one arrives.

As a therapist and mama of four, I’ve lived both sides of it — the clinical understanding and the raw, messy, beautiful reality of being knee-deep in newborn days. Whether you’re freshly postpartum or preparing for your next baby, this guide is here to support you, validate you, and simplify your life with the products that actually make a difference.

The Emotional Side of Postpartum: You’re Not “Too Much,” You’re Human

Those first few weeks can feel like a blur of:

  • Tears you can’t explain
  • Joy that takes your breath away
  • Anxiety over every sound your baby makes
  • The feeling of being touched-out yet desperately in love
  • Hormones doing gymnastics

This is normal.
This is human.
This is postpartum.

It’s okay to need breaks. It’s okay to not feel like yourself. And it’s okay to ask for support.

My Postpartum Essentials (Mama-Approved + Used With All 4 Babies)

Below are the things that made my postpartum period smoother, more comfortable, and more manageable.

1. Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump

This tiny silicone miracle is how I built a freezer stash with all four of my babies without “pumping.”
Perfect for catching letdown so you don’t waste a drop.
👉 here

2. Postpartum Recovery Kit Essentials

Think of this as your “mama survival kit.” My must-includes:

  • Peri bottle
  • Witch hazel pads
  • Mesh undies
  • Dermoplast
  • Perineal ice packs

👉 here

3. The Comfy Nursing/Pumping Bras

Because the early days require bras that feel like clouds, not torture devices.
👉 here

4. Oversized Water Bottle (Because You WILL Forget to Drink)

Hydration is everything postpartum — mood, milk supply, healing… all of it.
👉 here

5. Electric Double Pump (Traditional + Reliable)

These are the heavy-duty workhorses.
Often covered by insurance and great for building supply or exclusively pumping.

Spectra S1/S2 – Loved for comfort + suction
👉 here

6. Nursing-Friendly Pajamas

Soft, stretchy, and designed for easy pull-aside access — perfect for those middle-of-the-night feeds and postpartum comfort.
👉 here

7. Night Light/Sound machine for Feedings

A soft, dimmable night light sound machine combo is a must for those 2 a.m. feeds.
👉 here

Mental Health in Postpartum: A Therapist-Mama’s Perspective

What I see again and again in my clients — and what I’ve lived personally — is that postpartum requires permission.
Permission to rest.
Permission to say no.
Permission to lower the bar.
Permission to not be perfect.
Permission to feel exactly how you feel.

Here are a few grounding reminders to support your mental health:

• Your emotions are not a sign of weakness — they are information.

Let them speak. Let them move. Let them be seen.

• Regulating your nervous system matters more than keeping your house spotless.

Your baby needs a regulated mama, not a Pinterest home.

• You deserve support without guilt.

If someone offers help, accept it. If no one offers help, ask.

• You don’t have to “enjoy every moment.”

You’re allowed to love your baby and struggle at the same time.

Postpartum Survival Tips for the First 6 Weeks

1. Batch your expectations, not your tasks.

Have one goal per day.
Everything else is a bonus.

2. Keep nourishing snacks within reach.

Nursing and newborn care are calorie burners.

3. Sleep whenever you can — not just when baby sleeps.

Sometimes this means skipping dishes. Let it be skipped.

4. Stay connected.

Isolation is one of the hardest postpartum triggers.

5. Move your body gently.

Walks. Stretching. Breathwork.
Slow is still progress.

If You’re in the Thick of It… You’re Not Alone

Postpartum is raw. It’s beautiful and messy and overwhelming and magical in its own complicated way. Whether this is your first baby or your fourth like me, this phase deserves softness — not pressure.

You’re doing better than you think, mama.
And you deserve all the support in the world.

The Sacred Pause in Motherhood: What a Sunset and a Shadow Taught Me About Being Present

On By Brittany PinterIn Mental HealthLeave a comment

It was a regular Thursday evening. The kind of day where everything and nothing happens all at once. My kids had been especially loud, the laundry was half-folded on the couch, and dinner dishes were still sitting in the sink.

The house was buzzing with the usual end-of-day chaos. And I was buzzing too—in my body, in my mind. That overstimulated, overtouched, over-everything feeling that so many of us moms know all too well.

And then…
A pause.

I happened to glance at the sun setting through our living room window. The way the light filtered in stopped me for a second. I picked up my phone to capture it—not thinking much of it—just one of those “wow, that’s pretty” moments. But when I turned the camera around, I saw it.

A soft shadow cast on the opposite wall.
The unmistakable curve of my pregnant belly.
My baby.
A miracle, quietly making itself known in the most ordinary moment.

I felt my breath catch.
In all the noise, I had almost missed it.

(If you want to see the actual moment, I shared the video on my TikTok—a simple clip that says so much.)

It reminded me how often the sacred shows up in the small. How, even on the loudest, messiest days, life is unfolding right here inside me.
And not just physically—but emotionally, spiritually, relationally.

This season of motherhood—especially pregnancy while parenting young kids—is a blur of movement and need. So often, I forget to see myself in it. I’m so focused on meeting everyone else’s needs that I forget to witness the quiet transformation happening in my own body and soul.

That shadow on the wall?
It brought me back to myself.

So this is my reminder to you, and to me:
Pause.
Let the light in.
And notice the shadows—it’s often where the beauty hides.

Even if your home is loud and your brain is louder, even if your body feels stretched and tired and not your own… you are still doing something miraculous.
Even when you forget.
Even when you almost miss it.

Have you had a moment recently that brought you back to yourself—something simple, but sacred? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or over on Instagram or TikTok. Let’s keep reminding each other: there’s beauty in the blur.

How to Regulate When You’re Touched Out + Triggered: A Therapist-Mama’s Guide

On By Brittany PinterIn Lifestyle, Mental Health, MotherhoodLeave a comment

Feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, and touched out as a mom? Here’s how to regulate your nervous system and reset—backed by therapy tools and lived experience.

Motherhood is hands-on—literally. You’re changing diapers, wiping noses, breastfeeding, carrying toddlers, and somehow still expected to be emotionally available, regulated, and responsive. But what happens when your body says “enough” before your mind can catch up? That’s where “touched out” begins—and triggers tend to follow close behind.

As a mom of 3 (soon to be 4) and a licensed therapist, I’ve been there. Here’s how I regulate my own nervous system in those moments—and what might help you too.

Affiliate Disclaimer

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through my links. Thanks for supporting this mama-run blog!

What Does It Mean to Be “Touched Out”?

It’s a real, valid sensory and emotional experience where your nervous system feels overstimulated by physical contact—often from little ones who need a lot from you. Pair that with noise, mess, and mental load? You’re a walking overload.

Regulation Tools for the Triggered, Touched-Out Mom:

1. Step Away (Even for 60 Seconds)

If it’s safe to do so, remove yourself from the environment—even if it’s just to go into the bathroom and breathe. Ground your feet, place a hand on your chest, and remind your body you’re safe.

“I’m safe. This isn’t an emergency. I can come back to calm.”

2. Use Cold or Pressure

Splash cold water on your face, hold a frozen washcloth, or try a weighted blanket when you can. Cold and pressure can help regulate the vagus nerve, a key player in calming your nervous system.

This weighted lap blanket is perfect for alleviating stress and promoting relaxation. Bonus.. can also be used for kids!

Click here to buy on Amazon

3. Anchor to the Present Moment

Find five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear… you know the drill. It seems simple, but orienting your senses can snap you out of the flood of stress.

4. Switch the Input

Noise is a huge part of sensory overwhelm. Try noise-canceling headphones, calming music, or even giving yourself permission to turn off all sound for a few minutes.

These sleek, comfortable earplugs are designed to reduce ambient noise without completely blocking sound, making them ideal for moms who need a moment of calm without total silence. They’re discreet and perfect for daily use.

Click here to buy on Amazon

5. Name the Need (Without Shame)

“I’m feeling overstimulated.” “I’m craving stillness.” “I need to be alone for 10 minutes.”—Naming your experience reduces its power over you. It also helps you communicate needs to your partner or support system.

6. Create a “Safe Reset Ritual”

Designate one or two go-to actions that help your body reset: sipping tea in a quiet corner, journaling, stepping outside barefoot, or doing a breathing pattern like 4-7-8.

You’re not a bad mom for needing space. You’re a human with limits. And honoring those limits—even when it’s messy—is an act of love for both you and your kids.

Save this post. Send it to your partner. Bookmark it for the days you want to scream but still show up with softness.

You’re doing better than you think, mama.