During my pregnancy, I hardly gave a thought to the postpartum period. I spent my whole pregnancy doing research on everything for the baby, but I neglected to think about myself and the huge change that I would be experiencing as I brought my baby into the world. Here are three things that I would tell myself if I could go back in time knowing what I do now.

1. Rest as much as you can.

There is so much pressure on mamas to “bounce back.” Let me tell you, I couldn’t have “bounced” even if I’d wanted to. I felt so much pressure to be back to normal way too quickly after giving birth to my daughter. I wish that I had given myself permission sooner to let the chores go, and to just sit on my couch and recover. It’s okay to prioritize yourself, and also to remember that your whole body goes through nine months of changes to bring a baby into the world. It’s okay if it takes that long or longer to feel like your old self again.

2. Soak in those baby snuggles.

It turns out that every single parenting cliché is 100% true. Time really does fly by and before you know it, your days with a snuggly, sleepy newborn are gone. In the early days of my daughter’s life, I lived in a sleep deprived haze and often felt very guilty for not keeping up with the house. But postpartum is the perfect time to hand off responsibilities as best as you can, and snuggle up with your new little love. Resting together is one of the best ways to bond with your new baby!

3. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help.

When I finally gave up on trying to do everything and asked my husband to cover more of the chores I needed done, it was a whole new world. Suddenly I was able to rest much more easily and enjoy my time with my baby, guilt free. Ask family to drop off meals, or friends to take your toddler to the park. Take advantage of the people who love you and want to help you!

What advice would you give to the newly postpartum mama? Add yours in the comments below!