When I had my first baby at 25, I thought postpartum fatigue was just “part of the deal.” I was young, healthy, and assumed I’d bounce back. Instead, I was hit with exhaustion so deep, I honestly thought, “I might die from how tired I feel.” It took me almost five years to feel like myself again.
This time, at 34, I approached things differently. Because here’s how my brain works: I’m systematic. I connect dots. I don’t just accept “that’s how it is.” I wanted to understand why postpartum drained me so badly the first time—and what I could do to change the outcome.
My Rationale
Pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete your body’s reserves of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. If you don’t actively replenish, you’re trying to mother on empty. No wonder I was so depleted.
So, instead of hoping I’d feel better “eventually,” I built a comprehensive postpartum protocol—one that combined supplements, hydration, and lifestyle habits.
And the difference has been shocking—even just 4 months postpartum today:
✨ I feel energetic instead of crushed.
✨ My mood is better, I’m motivated, and I even want to work out.
✨ My sex drive came back faster (let’s normalize saying that!).
✨ Night wakings don’t undo me.
✨ I have energy to be present with my kids instead of just surviving.
My Supplement Protocol
Here’s the exact protocol I designed for myself (always check with your doctor before starting anything new). As always, affiliate links disclaimer, but click to get everything on Amazon:
- Thorne Basic Prenatal → high-quality foundation with clean forms of vitamins/minerals.
- Thorne Omega-3 → supports brain health, mood balance, and reduces inflammation.
- Nutrafol Postpartum → hair regrowth, stress recovery, additional vitamins.
- Legendairy Milk Miss Bliss → for hormonal balance, relaxation, and mood support.
- Inositol (Myo + Chiro blend from Legendairy Milk) → mood support and metabolic stability.
- CoQ10 → cellular energy and recovery.
- Turmeric (Curcumin) → anti-inflammatory support.
- Magnesium Glycinate → calm nervous system, improves sleep, and supports muscle repair.
- Collagen peptides → skin, joints, tissue healing.
- Electrolytes (LMNT) → hydration during breastfeeding.
- Fiber → either from gummies or snacks—supports gut health, digestion, and mood balance.
- Vitex Berry -> as soon as my menstrual cycle came back, I started taking this to support cycle regulation.
Lifestyle Habits That Support It
I knew supplements alone weren’t enough. Last time, I ignored basic rhythms and recovery tools. This time, I layered habits that support energy and calm:
- Exercise
- Returned to the gym at 6 weeks, once cleared by my doctor (after a c-section).
- Started with walking, then light lifting + core work
- Now at 4 months postpartum, I am doing a mix of heavy lifting + Pilates for core + zone 2 cardio here and there for caloric burn.
- My husband and I have self-care night shifts: he has Monday and Wednesday nights for him. I have Tuesdays and Thursdays. Friday is our day off, usually an at home date night. We try to do something during weekends too.
- Morning sunlight → within 30 minutes of waking to reset circadian rhythm and optimize cortisol levels.
- Afternoon sun → boosts mood and natural vitamin D.
- Hydration → giant water bottle + electrolytes. Sometimes what feels like fatigue is actually dehydration.
- Yoga Nidra → when the baby sleeps, I use a quick guided nap to fall asleep fast—it resets my whole day.
- No added sugar on week days → I’d still eat salty carbs but nothing with added sugar, and always with protein or fat – no more crashes from glucose spikes.
My Conclusion
Here’s what I know now: you can’t “wing it” postpartum. My first time, I thought youth and willpower were enough—they weren’t. This time, I applied my systematic way of thinking to motherhood: I looked at cause and effect, identified gaps, and built a protocol to close them.
And it worked.
Motherhood will always be hard, but it doesn’t have to break you. With the right nutrients and habits, you can feel energized, present, and even joyful—even while waking up at 3 a.m. with a baby.
So if you’re a new mom, my advice is simple: support your body as much as you support your baby. Because when you thrive, your whole family thrives.
The Curator Mom 
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