When I was pregnant with my second baby, I thought I knew what to expect. I had been through postpartum before, I had the products, the “mom hacks,” and the experience. But here’s the truth: postpartum is never copy + paste.
The second time around humbled me in ways I didn’t anticipate. And let me be clear: this is my experience. I know plenty of moms who found the 1 → 2 transition easier than the 0 → 1 transition. I would never want this to discourage anyone — I would do it ten times over for our sweet Liam, who we love more than anything. AND it was really hard. I didn’t see many people talking about it before I had him, so when it hit, I felt super alone. That’s why I’m sharing — in case another mom needs to hear it.
A few other helpful posts:
Newborn must haves from a 2nd time mom
Postpartum freezer meal guide & pre-packaged picks
Postpartum isn’t copy + paste
Even if you think you know what to expect, it’s different every time. The baby isn’t the same, your body isn’t the same, and you aren’t the same. The toolbox that worked the first time doesn’t always work again. Honestly, it felt like someone swapped my toolbox for a whole Home Depot aisle, and I didn’t even know what tool to grab.
The 1 → 2 transition was harder for me
With my first, it was tough — but I only had one baby’s schedule to manage. I had space to rest, heal, and focus on her. With two, it felt like running a marathon with a toddler climbing on my back. My mom actually lived with us for three of Liam’s first four months because I was drowning in the juggle of newborn + toddler.
Comparison hit harder the second time
Social media can sting in ways you don’t expect. Moms posting their 90+ sleep scores. Slipping back into skinny jeans weeks after delivery. Freezer stashes of breastmilk.
Meanwhile, I had one boob that literally didn’t produce a drop after three months of pumping multiple times a day. The comparison trap hit me harder the second time.
Postpartum depression doesn’t always look the same
With my first, my postpartum depression came around 6 months, after I weaned. With my second, it hit earlier — at 3–4 months — after four straight months of sleepless nights, juggling 2 under 2, and already dealing with extreme pregnancy insomnia. It felt like I hadn’t slept in a year, and I hit a wall.
If you take one thing away: postpartum depression can look different each time, and it doesn’t always hit right away. Don’t wait to ask for help. → Postpartum Support International
What helped me the second time
Some things I did differently:
- No pressure workouts — with 2 under 2, those first months were survival mode. Moving my body happened naturally with a toddler. Structured workouts came later.
- Asking for AND accepting help without guilt — I leaned on my mom, Brad’s mom, and even started daycare earlier this time.
- Lowering expectations everywhere — the house, the meals, the routines.
- Letting go of “baby #1 rules” — my first followed Moms on Call by 4 weeks. With #2, we didn’t even attempt a schedule until around 3 months.
What I skipped this time
- Hours of meal prep — instead I did freezer crockpot bags, one-handed breakfasts, premade oatmeal cups, and bone broth cups. (both my postpartum freezer meal guide & pre made staples linked!).
- Bounce-back pressure — with my first, I obsessed over “getting my body back” fast. This time, I realized how much stress that added and let it go.
- Belly band — it felt too constricting, so I let my body do its own work and focused on lymphatic drainage.
Products I leaned on more
Here’s what actually helped:
- [Red light mask] (10% off) → easy to habit stack during feeds
- [Heating pad]→ for those postpartum contractions (they get worse with each baby)
- [Depuffing face mask] → I wore this most mornings
- [Dry brushing + lymphatic drainage] → helped with fluid build up. I actually brought my dry brush to the hospital and was brushing my body 24 hours after birth. I had so much fluid build up after the first I was determined to rewrite the script the second time.
- [Ayurvedic sesame oil] + [red light therapy belt] → for my C-section scar
All pregnancy & postpartum faves linked here.
If you’re in this season right now, you are not alone. If you’re about to be, please don’t let this scare you. Every mom’s postpartum looks different. For me, the second time was harder. For you, it might not be. But no matter what, you don’t have to go through it in silence. 🤍
