Postpartum (Part 1)
so you’ve just had a baby.
now what?
If you’re thinking: *Why didn’t anyone prepare me for this?*
You’re not alone.
postpartum - part 1
A note before we begin: This post is written for those who are finding postpartum harder than expected. If you're pregnant and reading this, please know - many people have beautiful, supported postpartum experiences. This is simply for those who need to hear: you're not alone if it feels hard. And whether you resonate with some, all, or none of these challenges, I want you to know there is support out there and some of those places will be listed here too.
Postpartum is often described as a time of joy, but it is also a profound period of adjustment. The more openly we talk about the emotional realities of this time, the easier it becomes for parents to recognize when they need support - and to receive it without shame.
This post is part of a three-part Postpartum series that I’ll be releasing.
In Part 2, I'll share concrete strategies for preparing for postpartum and navigating those early weeks. And in Part 3, we'll go deeper into the moment-to-moment tools - the breath practices, the anchors, the ways to get through when it feels impossible.
~
When we’re pregnant, we spend a lot of time thinking about birth — what to expect, how to breathe and move when things get intense. But on the other side of birth is a newborn who relies completely on you for all their needs. And a body — your body - that is adjusting, healing, and recalibrating in real time.
For many, the postpartum shift can feel like jumping into the deep end without a lifeguard in sight. When all of a sudden the structured support that was there prenatally, suddenly drops off. Hormonal shifts can feel intense. Sleep becomes fragmented. Perhaps older kids start acting out. And if you’re also carrying the weight of a difficult or traumatic birth? Those inner resources can feel even more depleted.
~ when everyone asks about the baby
So many times I hear it: “Well, the baby’s healthy. Baby is thriving.”
And of course, that matters. We're grateful for that.
But what about you? What about your experience?
You didn’t just birth a baby, you also birthed a mother - and that life transition can be destabilizing, especially if it’s your first.
If there were moments in birth, where you felt scared, powerless, or unseen, your nervous system doesn’t just reset because the baby is here. Alongside baby, you carry those imprints.
Even if birth was glorious, there's an adjustment to constant responsibility. Paired with fragmented sleep, your resilience can feel stretched thin, and yet you’re still being asked to show up, again and again, for someone else. This feeling of being deeply needed, can be validating and simplifying to the psyche, but it can also make you feel oddly alone. Even if there’s support around you, there's no real off-duty switch to this job.
~ the invisible weight of feeding
I don’t think we can talk about the challenges of postpartum without talking about feeding. Feeding a newborn is hard no matter which way you slice it. Whether your breast/chestfeeding or bottle feeding, this part makes up the majority of your time with your newborn.
Sanitizing bottles, figuring out pumping and breastmilk storage, mixing formula
Latch issues, cracked nipples, soreness
The feeling that you are a milk machine or the complicated feelings when baby starts preferring bottles or the nipple shield — tools that help can also bring unexpected emotional traps
The guilt of feeling 'not enough' if you're using formula
The constant question of not knowing if baby is getting enough milk
The mental loop of should's, would's, could's—if only's, what if's, at least's
fear and intrusive thoughts can just add to the load
I laugh now, but I remember those moments. Baby K is finally asleep next to me, silence settling in - and me holding my finger in front of his nose every two minutes to make sure he was still breathing. Those fears were real. What goes on in your head all alone at night, when it feels like everyone else in the world is asleep, is real.
Even when you have been able to hand things off to another caregiver, your mind might still be swirling, getting in the way of rejuvenating rest. And while that is protective from an evolutionary standpoint (the brain is literally rewiring itself to ‘be on alert’ so it can respond to baby), it doesn’t feel so helpful in the moment.
Alongside all that, there can be boundless love, of course - but there also can be grief. Grief for your own rhythms, for freedom. Grief for your old body and sense of self. There are moments you feel connected to yourself, and other times when you may not recognize who you are.
We don’t talk enough about how disorienting that all can be.
~ the support that’s missing
In the past, postpartum wasn’t meant to be done alone. We would have been surrounded by family and friends – people who knew what to do, who could step in without being asked.
Now, for many, the current reality looks different. Many families do this in relative isolation. And for those friends and family who genuinely want to support you, they often don't know what to say or how to help.
Here's the thing: postpartum mental health challenges - anxiety, low mood, intrusive thoughts - are more common than you might think. And they're treatable. It can feel easier to stay quiet and endure, but saying "I am not okay" can be the turning point.
A quick note about postpartum mental health
It’s normal to experience moments of overwhelm, tears, irritability, or feeling unsure of yourself. Many parents experience what’s often called the “baby blues” in the first couple of weeks — a period of emotional sensitivity that usually resolves on its own as hormones stabilize. If these feelings are lingering or intensifying beyond a couple weeks, it’s a sign that extra support could really help.
Postpartum mental health challenges can show up in many different ways, and they don’t always look like what we imagine when we hear the words “postpartum depression.”
Sometimes they look like sadness or emotional numbness.
Sometimes they look like anxiety that won’t quiet down.
And sometimes they show up in ways people don’t talk about very often.
While this is not a full diagnostic list of all perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, some signs to watch out for include:
• persistent sadness, emptiness, or loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
• constant worry or racing thoughts that make it hard to relax or sleep
• feeling overwhelmed, on edge, or unable to cope with everyday tasks
• intense irritability, anger, or rage that feels unlike you
• intrusive or frightening thoughts that you don’t want to have
• feeling disconnected from yourself or from your baby
• lingering distress or flashbacks related to the birth experience
• feeling hopeless, trapped, or like you’re failing as a parent
And in rare cases, people may experience severe symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, or feeling disconnected from reality. If this happens, it’s important to seek urgent medical support. If any of these experiences resonate, please know:
You are not failing. You are not broken.
And you are not alone, and help is available.
You can find confidential support, information, and local resources through organizations like Postpartum Support International, which offers helplines and connects families with trained professionals and peer support around the world. Talking with a healthcare provider, counselor, midwife, or postpartum support professional can make a tremendous difference. Support might include therapy, peer groups, practical help at home, developing nervous system regulation skills, or medical care when appropriate. I’ve listed some local resources below.
If this feels hard, it’s because it is hard (damn hard!!) - It is not because you’re failing.
The reality is that this is a profound physical and emotional transition, happening in a culture that often doesn’t always hold it well. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. In many ways, it’s one of the most courageous and protective things you can do, both for yourself and for your baby.
As a mom who also struggled, as someone who deeply cares about maternal health and how we show up for each other and ourselves - I see you.
~
local yukon support
If you're reading this from the Yukon and finding yourself nodding along, there are places you can land—whether you're looking for practical support, a listening ear, or something in between.
Public Health
Public health nurses at the Health Centre on Quartz Road can support feeding, infant care questions, and postpartum adjustment - including home or clinic visits, and phone support.Canadian Mental Health Association - Yukon
Offers free counselling, peer support, workshops, and accessible mental health resources for individuals and families navigating stress, anxiety, and major life transitions, including the postpartum period.
Reach Out Support Line (1-844-533-3030)
A confidential, Yukon-based support line staffed by trained listeners — available when you need to talk something through, even if you’re not sure what you need yet.
Partners for Children (Whitehorse / Haines Junction)
Offers free, welcoming prenatal and postnatal programs for parents and babies (birth–1 year), including peer groups, infant massage, parenting support, and honest conversations about feeding, sleep, and the emotional realities of early parenthood.Skookum Jim Friendship Centre – Prenatal Nutrition Program
Provides holistic prenatal and postnatal support rooted in nutrition, culture, and community — including grocery vouchers, baby supplies, health check-ins, traditional workshops, and weekly gatherings that foster connection and belonging.
Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre – Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures
A warm, inclusive program supporting families from pregnancy through baby’s first 18 months, offering shared meals, education on infant care and feeding, in-home support, and space to build community during early parenting.
Mental Wellness & Substance Use Services (Yukon)
You don’t need to be in crisis to reach out. Support is available for postpartum mood changes, anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed. To access the rapid access counselling service, phone: 867-456-3838Postpartum Support International (PSI)
While not Yukon-specific, PSI offers excellent resources, peer support, and provider directories for postpartum mental health — including virtual options.Postpartum Support Yukon: Offers lactation and feeding support, free educational resources, and community guidance.
Local doulas, counsellors, and body-based practitioners
Yukon has a small but deeply caring community of providers who understand birth, trauma, and the postpartum nervous system. Sometimes support doesn’t look like “treatment” - it looks like being held.
Birth leaves an imprint - whether we tend to it or not. And when birth was difficult, confusing, or did not unfold the way you hoped, the body and nervous system often carry that forward into postpartum. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It means your experience matters.
If you’re unsure where to start, that’s okay too. You’re allowed to move slowly. You’re allowed to ask questions. You’re allowed to need more support than you expected.
If you’re wanting gentle, grounded support in the midst of that, I offer 1:1 sessions that draw from nervous system support, guided relaxation, reflective listening, and mind-body practices. And if it feels helpful, I can also connect you with other trusted local supports, because no one person holds the whole picture.