There’s so much conversation about preparing for a baby. What to buy, what to pack, what to expect during pregnancy and delivery. But we don't talk nearly enough about what happens to you afterward.
We asked Lauren Cody Hoffman, mom and longtime creator, to share what she wishes someone had told her about life after having a baby, from confidence and a changing body to postpartum hair loss and the post-baby glow-up.
Lauren shares more of her motherhood journey in her newsletter, Say Mommy, where she writes about the realities of life, wellness, and identity after having kids.
In true Lauren fashion, she gave us the real version.
Here are Lauren's five:
1. Becoming a mom gives you confidence in yourself that you've never had before.
Somehow, in the face of a body that looks completely different and a mind that's hormonally out of whack, the deep sense of purpose you get from motherhood is incredibly grounding and powerful.
2. Your hair doesn't all fall out at once.
You hardly notice it until one day you look in the mirror and there's a giant bald spot (or two, if you're me).
3. Having kids makes your empathy grow, and with each kid it grows even more.
You truly see life through someone else's eyes, and you have more hearts walking around outside of your body.
4. You don't have to start working out really hard right away to get back into shape.
In fact, I think it's the opposite. Let yourself rest and heal, the motivation to be active again will come back naturally, and that natural drive will give you more success.
5. You can actually be hotter after kids.
My post-baby glow-up should be studied. I am so much more confident in how I look now than before I had kids. Taking Wellbel Women Hair Supplement played a big role in helping me feel like myself again and getting my confidence back.
Why Does Postpartum Hair Loss Happen?
Lauren's second point is one we hear from women all the time.
Postpartum hair shedding can be particularly unsettling because it often doesn't happen immediately after you have your baby.
During pregnancy, higher estrogen levels keep more hairs in the active growth phase for longer, which is one reason hair can feel especially full during pregnancy. After delivery, estrogen levels fall and more hairs can shift into the shedding phase around the same time.
That's why postpartum hair loss often becomes noticeable a few months after giving birth. You may suddenly notice more hair in the shower or on your brush, or see changes around your hairline and temples.
And even when you know postpartum shedding is common, that doesn't necessarily make it less emotional.
