Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most transformative and profound experiences a woman can go through. However, amid the joy and wonder of holding your newborn, the postpartum journey can be both emotionally and physically challenging. In her honest and compassionate guide, Self-Care After Birth, Taylor Davis—a certified postpartum doula and mother of three—offers new moms a gentle yet powerful roadmap for healing, rest, and emotional balance.
Drawing from years of personal experience and professional practice, Davis emphasizes that self-care after birth isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. This article explores the key themes and practical advice in Taylor Davis’s guide, shedding light on how new mothers can reclaim their strength, identity, and peace one day at a time.
The Importance of Postpartum Self-Care
Beyond the Baby
One of the fundamental principles in Davis’s approach is that postpartum care should not solely revolve around the baby. While infant needs are, of course, urgent and real, Davis reminds us that the mother’s well-being is equally vital. Too often, women are encouraged to bounce back quickly—physically, mentally, and socially—after birth, neglecting the real need for rest, support, and healing.
Taylor Davis writes, “You’ve just run a marathon while also undergoing emotional, hormonal, and identity transformation. You don’t need to return to who you were. You need space to become who you are now.”
1. Healing the Body: Rest, Nutrition, and Support
The Fourth Trimester
Davis refers to the initial weeks after childbirth as the “fourth trimester”—a crucial period for recovery and adjustment. During this time, the body is still undergoing significant changes: the uterus is shrinking, hormones are rebalancing, and if breastfeeding, the body is producing milk. These changes demand attention and care.
Prioritizing Rest
Sleep deprivation is a common theme for new moms. While eight uninterrupted hours of sleep may not be realistic, Davis encourages mothers to redefine rest. This might mean:
- Napping when the baby naps
- Delegating tasks to friends or family
- Creating a sleep-conducive environment
- Setting boundaries with visitors
She advises setting up a “rest station” beside the bed—stocked with snacks, water, nursing pads, diapers, and a phone charger—so moms don’t have to get up unless absolutely necessary.
Nourishing the Body
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in postpartum recovery. Davis promotes the idea of “healing foods”—warm, easily digestible meals that support lactation, replenish nutrients, and promote tissue repair. Examples include:
- Bone broth and soups
- Oatmeal with flaxseed and berries
- Herbal teas like nettle or red raspberry leaf
- Iron- and protein-rich snacks like eggs, lentils, and leafy greens
Meal prepping before birth or asking loved ones for food support can be invaluable.
2. Mental and Emotional Wellness: Navigating the Inner Landscape
Normalizing Emotional Swings
Hormonal fluctuations, lack of sleep, and the pressures of new motherhood can create a rollercoaster of emotions. Davis encourages women not to suppress these feelings, but to observe and honor them.
Some days may feel joyful and energizing; others may feel overwhelming or lonely. Davis offers practical ways to support mental health:
- Journaling: Writing about daily highs and lows
- Mindfulness and meditation: Grounding techniques to reduce anxiety
- Talking to someone: Whether it’s a therapist, doula, or trusted friend
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Taylor Davis dedicates an entire section of her guide to postpartum depression and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of knowing the difference between the “baby blues” and more serious mental health concerns.
Red flags include:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Intense anxiety or intrusive thoughts
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Feeling disconnected or emotionally numb
Her message is clear: you are not broken, and you are not alone. Seeking help is an act of strength, not weakness.
3. Creating a Village: Asking for and Accepting Help
The Myth of the Self-Sufficient Mother
Modern motherhood is often framed as an individual pursuit. Davis challenges this narrative and encourages women to reclaim the communal nature of parenting. She explains, “It was never meant to be done alone.”
Whether it’s a partner, friend, relative, or postpartum doula, support is essential.
Taylor suggests creating a postpartum plan—just like a birth plan—that outlines who can help with:
- Cooking and errands
- Newborn care
- Household chores
- Emotional support
This plan helps reduce stress and ensures that the mother is not left to manage everything on her own.
Boundaries with Visitors
Another key piece of advice is learning to say no. Well-meaning visitors can sometimes become overwhelming. Davis recommends setting boundaries, such as:
- Establishing “visiting hours”
- Requesting that visitors bring food or help with chores
- Encouraging short, quiet visits
- Communicating clearly about what’s helpful and what’s not
4. Identity and Self-Rediscovery: Who Am I Now?
The Shifting Sense of Self
One of the less discussed aspects of postpartum life is the existential shift in identity. New moms often grapple with questions like:
- Who am I outside of being a mother?
- Will I ever feel like myself again?
- What do I want, now that my life has changed?
Taylor Davis doesn’t offer quick fixes but rather space and compassion for these questions. She invites women to explore their evolving identity through creativity, reflection, and honest conversation.
Reclaiming Moments for Yourself
Even in the midst of a demanding newborn schedule, Davis encourages mothers to carve out micro-moments of self-care:
- A 5-minute cup of coffee alone
- A short walk outside
- Listening to a favorite podcast while nursing
- Wearing clothes that make you feel good
It’s not about returning to a pre-baby version of yourself, but becoming more attuned to who you are now.
5. Reconnecting with Your Partner
Communication Is Key
Intimacy can change drastically after birth, not just physically but emotionally. Taylor Davis advises couples to prioritize open, honest communication. Check-ins can help both partners feel seen and supported.
Suggested conversation starters:
- “How are you feeling about this new chapter?”
- “What do you need more of from me right now?”
- “What’s been the hardest part of this week for you?”
Redefining Intimacy
Postpartum intimacy isn’t only about sex. It’s about touch, emotional closeness, and shared vulnerability. Davis suggests finding new ways to feel connected, such as:
- Holding hands during a walk
- Cuddling with the baby between you
- Watching a show together in bed
Giving each other grace, space, and presence is crucial during this time.
6. Returning to Movement and Exercise
When and How to Start
Returning to exercise should be slow and intentional. Davis emphasizes listening to your body and getting medical clearance before resuming any workouts.
Gentle ways to reintroduce movement include:
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Walking with the stroller
- Light yoga or stretching
- Postnatal fitness classes
She stresses that the goal is not weight loss but rebuilding strength and confidence.
7. Letting Go of Perfection
Social Media vs. Reality
Taylor Davis critiques the pressure that social media places on new mothers. Perfectly curated photos can make it seem like everyone else is thriving while you’re barely keeping it together.
Her advice: unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate and replace them with supportive, authentic voices.
The Power of “Good Enough”
Perhaps one of the most comforting messages in Davis’s guide is this: You don’t have to be perfect to be a wonderful mother.
You can:
- Be exhausted and still be doing a great job
- Ask for help and still be strong
- Take a break and still be deeply loving
Final Thoughts: A New Kind of Strength
Self-Care After Birth isn’t just a checklist of wellness activities. It’s a compassionate philosophy that recognizes the mother as a whole person—one deserving of rest, love, support, and space to grow.
Taylor Davis’s guide reminds us that self-care isn’t selfish. It’s how we survive, thrive, and show up fully for the people we love—especially ourselves. In a culture that pushes new moms to “bounce back,” Davis invites them instead to lean in—to their bodies, their truths, their changing identities, and their quiet, powerful resilience.