The One Ritual That Saved My Sanity Postpartum

The postpartum stage can be a lot. Magical? Sure. But often, it's a blurry, leaky, sleep-deprived crash course in keeping a tiny human alive while trying to hold onto your sense of self. For many new parents, navigating those early weeks and months means finding something to help anchor the chaos. 

That can be a small ritual, a moment of quiet or a necessary indulgence that makes life feel a little more manageable. And while it may not be the thing you expected to rely on after bringing baby home, it will be the thing that helps get you through those postpartum months with your sanity intact. 

To help you prep for your own journey, we teamed up with Ninja (you know, the folks behind all those viral kitchen gadgets) to share the real stories of parents who’ve made it through the fog and the single thing that helped them survive postpartum life. For one parent, it was zoning out with a favorite comfort watch; for another, it was a morning routine made better by a really good cup of coffee. 

You might even come up with a new routine altogether, but wherever you land, what’s most important is that you make time to take care of yourself as you learn how to care for your baby. Read ahead to meet the parents, hear their stories and discover your own postpartum lifeline. 

The Morning Coffee Break That Grounded My Day

“I wasn't as present as I wanted to be when my first son was born, so when our second baby arrived, I left my engineering job to become a full-time stay-at-home dad. It was definitely an adjustment to go from long commutes and multi-time zone conference calls to 24/7 parenting with an infant. While I loved almost everything about this change, I really missed those long stretches of silence I used to get on my commute. So every morning I would wake up an hour before my wife and kids, make myself a cup of coffee, and settle into my very cliche dad chair to decompress before the chaos. It's not just about the caffeine; there's something really comforting about the ritual of grinding the beans, dialing in my brew preferences and frothing the milk. It's a little sense of control and order in an otherwise chaotic day (but not too much control and order, I can't be measuring and weighing coffee beans on three hours of sleep). Three years in, I still do this every single morning before I assume the role of human alarm clock for the rest of my family.” - Michael E., Babylist Dad of 2

Postpartum Tip: A morning coffee ritual might be just the thing to help your day feel a little more you. If grabbing a latte on your commute used to be your thing, making a cozy at-home version can help recreate that moment of calm—without having to wrangle your baby into a car seat. A coffee maker like the Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso Drip Coffee & Cold Brew Maker lets you go hot, cold, or frothy depending on your mood.

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The Daily Walks That Helped Ease My Anxiety

“With my first baby, it was nice fall weather, so every day I would do her first morning nap on the go on a walk in her bassinet attached to the stroller. I would stay out for at least 45 minutes, listening to podcasts on the walk, meeting up with moms of kids with similar ages through organized meet-ups, and would always enjoy my morning coffee during my stroll. I’d also try to get another walk in before the sun started going down in the afternoon. I used to get a bit of anxiety not knowing what the night ahead of me would have in store, and a breath of fresh air (literally) in the afternoon before the evening started really helped.” - Cassie K., Babylist Mom of 2

Postpartum Tip: Sometimes the best medicine for those long, blurry newborn days is as simple as lacing up your sneakers and stepping outside. A stroller walk with coffee in hand can feel like a mini vacation (bonus points if there’s a podcast or a friend to meet along the way). Think of it as a daily reset button—fresh air for the baby, a mental break for you and just enough sunshine to make those unpredictable nights feel a little less daunting.

A Shower Ritual That Taught Me to Release Control

“I was having a difficult time with anxiety when I first gave birth. I also felt very overwhelmed. I felt like I couldn't be away from the baby and I needed to do everything myself. It was really hard for me to let anyone else help. I spoke to my therapist, and she suggested taking time to at least shower. Something quick enough for me to be calm about leaving the baby with my husband. This helped me slowly feel more comfortable with giving up some of my control. I began to be able to take longer and longer showers. I started to look forward to the showers and enjoyed my time alone. I still will implement this now, two years later, when I am feeling overwhelmed. “ - DeAnna Gurung, Babylist Mom of 1

Postpartum Tip: Feeling overwhelmed? DeAnna suggests building out your support system early on: “It can be another mom, your partner, or a therapist. Having support is key. Going at it alone is not going to work. Even if it's just a 30-minute call with a friend, having someone to talk to is going to be so helpful, especially when you feel your whole world turn upside down.”

The Binge Watch That Helped Me Get Through Feeding 

“The feeding journey in the postpartum period is incredibly time-consuming and repetitive—whether it’s breastfeeding, bottle feeding or another method. Choosing a mindless show to binge created a comforting rhythm and structure during those long, often lonely hours. It offered a sense of continuity and something to look forward to, especially during middle-of-the-night feedings when energy and morale can dip. Importantly, this ritual provided a passive, low-effort form of entertainment that didn’t require interaction or emotional energy—unlike social media, which felt unhelpful and sometimes overwhelming at the time.” - Laura J., Babylist Mom of 2

Postpartum Tip: A newborn’s feeding schedule can feel endless, so why not make it your built-in binge-watch time? Queue up a light, low-stakes show (think reality TV, sitcoms, or anything that doesn’t require too much thinking) and let it be your cozy companion during those marathon sessions. It’s a guilt-free way to carve out a little joy and predictability, turning repetitive feedings into a ritual you might actually look forward to. Bonus: you’ll forever associate that show with your baby’s earliest days—a quirky little time capsule of your postpartum season.

The “Dress Up” Routine That Allowed Me to Feel Like Myself Again

“Even when I was exhausted, I showered, got dressed (usually back into loungewear) and put on a little makeup; a little concealer for the sleep-deprived eyes, some blush and mascara—nothing too intense, but just enough to feel like me. After my first baby, I felt like I had lost myself, and I promised I wouldn’t let that happen again—and I wouldn’t feel guilty about it either. This was my last baby, and I wanted to do it in a way that felt right for me, so I made the commitment to show up for myself.” - Audra S., Babylist Mom of 3

Postpartum Tip: If getting dressed up or doing a full face of makeup was a part of your before-baby routine, keeping it once the baby arrives, even in a more manageable form, helps you stay grounded. “Routine isn’t important for just the baby—it’s as important for mom in those blurry, overwhelming days. That consistency helped me feel steady and in control (using this word very lightly),” Audra admits.

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