Summer used to mean beach and pool days, spontaneous trips around town, backyard dinners with friends, and soaking in the sunshine without a second thought. But this summer looked very different because it was my first summer as a new mom.
Honestly? The emotional shift surprised me. I found myself reflecting often, feeling pulled between soaking in the magic of slow days and baby snuggles and mourning the faster, activity-packed version of summer I’d always known. This season has been both beautiful and brutally humbling. And today, I want to share what this postpartum summer really felt like — the lessons, the hard moments, and the quiet wins I’ll carry with me into fall.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of my links. I only share products I truly love and personally use or recommend. Read more about our Disclaimer Policy. Thank you for supporting my blog and little family!
Summer Looked Different This Year
If I’m being completely honest, summer as a postpartum mom was nothing like I imagined (perfectly curated activities for our son, lots of sunshine, etc). The season that once felt light and carefree came with new challenges — emotionally, physically, and even socially.
There were the clothes I used to love wearing that suddenly didn’t feel right on my postpartum body. Swimsuits, shorts, even tank tops, all of them fit differently, or didn’t fit at all. All that fit were my pregnancy clothes that were too baggy and too much clothing for the heat of summer. Buying new clothes as a postpartum mom was a whole other challenge. I had to learn how to find clothes that flattered and fit my new body.
And then there was the energy shift. Summer usually feels productive and adventurous, but being home with a baby meant slowing way down. I couldn’t just head out for a long walk or run errands all afternoon, especially when you have to consider the heat. Even when I wanted to join in on summer plans, I often couldn’t (or didn’t want to) because I was exhausted, leaking milk, or just craving quiet time from being overstimulated.
But I’m also incredibly grateful that the fresh postpartum stage happened in spring. By the time summer rolled around, Oliver was a couple of months old, and we were able to get out of the house more. We weren’t locked down by the fourth trimester fog anymore, which meant we did get to experience some warm-weather magic, just in a much different way than before.
What I Learned About Myself
I learned that the sunlight matters more to me than I ever realized.
Really! Having long, bright days helped my mental health in so many ways I didn’t expect. Being up early with a baby felt less heavy when the sun was already shining. My energy felt more stable. I could take a quick trip to the backyard for some sunshine for a quick pick-me-up. I think about how different things might’ve felt if I’d been navigating the earliest postpartum months in the middle of winter, and I’m grateful I didn’t have to. Mentally, wintertime would have made postpartum much, much harder for me.
At the same time, summer flew by faster than I was ready for. I kept thinking we had more time to do summer things — the splash pads, picnics (which we haven’t done yet!), late evening walks. But then I blinked, and it’s already August. Fall is already knocking on the door. There’s already Halloween decor in some stores!
This first summer with a baby reminded me that time moves differently now. Fast and slow, all at once. Summer felt like 3 weeks and 3 years at the same time.
💌 Want honest, helpful mom tips (without the overwhelm)?
Grab Your FREE New Mom Starter Pack!
This starter pack is packed with essentials every new mom needs:
- Top 5 Baby Essentials – the items I actually used every day
- + Bonus Postpartum Recovery Must-Haves – simple tools to help your body heal and feel supported
When you sign up, you’ll also get The Monthly Mama Moment, a cozy once-a-month email with:
- Real-mom favorite baby gear 🍼
- Easy, mom-friendly meals + snacks 🍽
- Must-listen podcasts and must-read books🎧📖
- Little joys that make motherhood feel lighter 🤎
👉 Fill out the below to get your Starter Pack!
What I Loved About Summer (and Didn’t)
There were so many moments that made Oliver’s first summer feel special, even if they weren’t what I had pictured.
- Snuggly mornings with sunlight streaming through the windows
- BBQs with family and friends
- Playtime on our backyard deck
- Him in a splash pad
- Experiencing sand and the ocean for the first time
- Watching Oliver notice trees, birds, and breezes
But not every day was magic. There were also those sweltering mornings where if we didn’t get out the door before 9 a.m., it was too hot to go outside at all (or we’d have to wait until just before the sun set to sneak a walk in). I felt the pressure to hurry up and enjoy it before it became unbearable. And that pressure, on top of everything else, sometimes took the joy out of the moment.
This wasn’t a carefree summer, it was a postpartum summer. One filled with growth, hormones, and a lot of internal work.
What I’m Letting Go Of
I’m letting go of the pressure to be social, which is weird to say for me. I’m actually an introvert and don’t mind a low-key social life. But somehow with a bay I feel I need to be more social. Like, I have to expose Oliver to the world and there are a minimum amount of experiences we have to accomplish in a set amount of time. We have to see family and friends more often so Oliver can bond with them and learn to be social with others.
But this first summer of motherhood taught me that it’s okay to say no, to protect my peace, and to choose presence with my baby over pleasing others (though sometimes it’s hard to stick to this). When I can successfully say no, I’ve never been more proud of myself for setting those boundaries.
I’m also working on letting go of the expectations I’ve carried about what my postpartum body should look like. It’s not easy, not even close. “Bounce-back” culture still rears its ugly head. But I’ve realized that covering up or hiding doesn’t serve me. I want my baby to grow up seeing a mom who shows up confidently in her own skin, even when it’s still a “work in progress”. (Side note: I’m very proud of myself for being okay with my stretch marks. I call them “mommy marks” and they remind me that I grew and carried Oliver for 9 months, which is a magical gift). 🤎
Mostly, I’m ready to let go of constant stimulation. My nervous system has been on for months — from sleep deprivation to noisy summer events at the nearby lake to juggling it all with baby in tow. I’m ready for a slower rhythm. I’m craving less movement and more stillness.
Looking Ahead to Fall
As summer winds down, I’m not quite ready but also a bit relieved at the same time. Not because I want time to move faster. I’m craving routine, coziness, and calm. Adjusting to summer as a new mom was beautiful in many ways, but I’m starting to look forward to leaning into a new season.
I’m looking forward to:
- Cozy layers and postpartum-friendly loungewear
- Warm meals that feel comforting and nourishing
- Baby milestones like first tastes of food, crawling, and Oliver seeing holiday decorations
- Daily rhythms that feel more predictable
- Fall walks with crisp air at all hours of the day
- More time at home without the pressure to “make the most of the season”
And I’ll be sharing more of what that fall rhythm looks like soon — including a peek into cozy meals and the fall edition of my “Monthly Mama Moment” newsletter.
If you’re also a new mom looking back on a summer that didn’t go exactly how you imagined, just know this: You did more than enough. Your baby doesn’t need big adventures or perfect beach days. You are their summer magic just as you are.
Let’s hold onto the good, let go of the pressure, and head into this next season with softness and strength.
You’ve got this, mama 🤎