As a first-time mom, I started my breastfeeding journey producing just 2 ounces total per pump session. I had to supplement with formula in those early weeks while my body figured things out—and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. Now, two months in, I consistently pump over 10 ounces per session and am exclusively feeding my baby breast milk. I’m not a lactation consultant, just a mom who’s been in the trenches, tried a lot of things, and found what worked for me. In this post, I’m sharing everything that helped me—from hydration hacks and power snacks to my favorite pumps and mindset shifts—so you feel supported and encouraged no matter where you are in your feeding journey.

Your baby’s saliva can literally tell your body what kind of antibodies to produce. Your milk changes from day to night to help them sleep. It adapts to their age, gender, and even their temperature. Breastfeeding isn’t just feeding — it’s biology, immunology, and connection all rolled into one. After one month of combo feeding, pumping, and learning the hard way, I’m sharing the raw truth no one talks about — and what I wish I knew before I started.

I put together this post: to share what actually helped me during each stage of the journey. These are my personal favorites—tried, tested, and loved through the rollercoaster of new motherhood. No fluff. Just honest recommendations from a first-time mama who’s been there. I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared and a whole lot less alone.

Giving birth reshaped my understanding of strength, faith, and love. God’s design of a woman’s body is nothing short of miraculous. And the bond between a mother and her child… it begins long before the first breath. Carter’s birth was not what I expected. But it was everything we needed. It was beautiful. It was sacred. It was ours. It was a day I’ll never forget.

As baby’s due date gets closer, one of the most empowering things I’ve added to my third trimester routine is colostrum collection — a small but mighty step in preparing for those precious first feeds.

Prepping nourishing freezer meals and snacks before birth is one of the best ways to support postpartum recovery, ensuring easy access to healing, energy-boosting foods. From lactation energy balls packed with milk-boosting ingredients to hearty soups and protein-rich breakfasts, these make-ahead recipes provide the nutrients new moms need while adjusting to life with a newborn.

Preparing for postpartum recovery is just as important as prepping for labor, and these herbal padsicles are made for soothing, healing, and protecting your body after birth. Packed with powerful herbs like yarrow, comfrey, and lavender, they help reduce swelling, promote tissue repair, and prevent infection—all while providing cooling relief. This easy, beginner-friendly recipe is the perfect way to bring natural healing into your postpartum routine.

This labor prep smoothie is packed with nutrients to support hydration, energy, and a smoother birth. With dates for cervical ripening, coconut water for electrolytes, and flax seeds for hormone balance, every ingredient serves a purpose.

Caring for my growing baby bump is about more than just preventing stretch marks—it’s about nurturing and embracing the incredible changes my body is going through during pregnancy. While no routine is guaranteed to prevent marks, treating my skin with love and intention is a beautiful act of self-care.