Becoming a mama changes EVERYTHING.

 I know this season can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Pregnancy brings so much change, and the postpartum days are a blur of sleepless nights, feeling like you haven't showered in days, and learning how to help your own body put itself back together while also keeping a tiny human alive. It's a LOT. Through it all, your body and heart are doing some of the most important work of your life.

I want to share a handful of holistic tips that have made such a difference for me (a mom of 4) and other mamas I know. Think of this as a little sister-to-sister guide - things I desperately wish someone had told me before my pregnancy and postpartum journey began.

During Pregnancy: Laying the Foundation

Sip on NORA Tea
NORA tea is a mineral-rich herbal blend (nettle, oatstraw, raspberry leaf, and alfalfa) that supports energy, blood health, hormone balance, and uterine strength during pregnancy, while also aiding recovery and milk supply postpartum. It supports your body during pregnancy and gives you something nourishing to sip on besides plain water. Ask your midwife or care provider before you start taking it. They usually recommend waiting until your second or third trimester.

Eat Plenty of Protein
I can’t say this enough—protein will be your best friend. It keeps your energy stable, supports baby’s growth, and helps you feel satisfied. Eggs, grass-fed meats, bone broth, cottage cheese… load up, mama. It also helps with nausea. 

Build Your Support Network Early
Don’t wait until you’re exhausted postpartum to look for help. Find your people now—other moms, church friends, doulas, whoever will come alongside you. Knowing you have a net to fall back on makes all the difference.

Before baby comes, gather your girlfriends or family and spend an afternoon cooking. Stock your freezer with soups, stews, and casseroles. When you’re running on little sleep and don’t feel like cooking, those meals will feel like pure gold, and it also allows you to choose recipes that you know are nourishing. Meal trains are sweet, but your body needs more than casseroles and frozen garlic bread after running a marathon.

Postpartum: Nourishing Yourself

Keep Bedside Snacks
You’re going to get hungry during those late-night feeds and days in and near the bed. Trust me—keep a little basket by your bed with protein-rich snacks. Beef sticks, granola bites, nut butter packets, dried fruit… something you can eat one-handed in the dark. Bonus points if it has oats in it to help keep your milk supply up!

Stay Hydrated
Water is great, but postpartum your body needs extra. Electrolytes, coconut water, bone broth, herbal teas, yolky lattes—keep a big cup within arm’s reach all day.

Warm, Comforting Foods
There’s a reason so many cultures feed new mamas soups and stews. Warm foods are easier to digest and deeply comforting. Think bone broth, roasted veggies, oatmeal with ghee, or golden milk tea.

Mama Care
Your body deserves kindness. A good nipple cream (I love tallow-based balms) or a postpartum gift set can make a huge difference when everything feels tender. 

Keep YOURSELF Alive

Sleep When You Can
I know, I know—you’ve heard this a thousand times. But really, grab naps when the opportunity comes. Forget the laundry pile. Your body is healing, and rest is medicine.

Ask For & Accept Help
This one is hard for us mamas, but hear me: you weren’t meant to do it all alone. Say yes when someone offers to bring a meal, hold the baby so you can shower, or fold your laundry. Let them love you in this season. Sometimes they're just waiting for you to tell them what to do, so maybe make a list in advance of what you know you'll need help with.

Create Your Cozy Nest
Your environment affects how you feel. Tidy your bedroom before baby comes. Light a candle, keep blankets nearby, set up a comfy chair, and make your space feel peaceful. When your home feels restful, you do too.

A Little Encouragement

Remember, there’s no one “perfect” way to do this. Your journey will look different from mine, and that’s okay. What matters is that you feel nourished, supported, and cared for—because when you’re well, your baby feels it too.

Take it slow. Say yes to help. Eat the protein. Drink the tea. And remember: you've got this.