If you’re in the thick of preparing for your little one’s arrival, chances are your mind is racing with everything from nursery decor to choosing the perfect baby gear. You’re gearing up for sleepless nights, diaper changes, and all the sweet firsts that come with welcoming your baby into the world. But there’s one thing that rarely makes it onto those to-do lists: Your mental health. And friend, I wish someone had told me just how much that matters. 

May is Maternal Mental Health Month—a time to raise awareness, share stories, and remind moms everywhere that their emotional well-being matters deeply. So while you’re preparing for baby, don’t forget to prepare for you, too.

I’m here now, writing to you as someone who’s been there. To say this: there’s another kind of preparation that deserves your attention. Because your emotions, your identity, your entire inner world might shift just as much as your body does—and that deserves to be held with care, too

There are things I wish someone had told me—not to worry me, but to help me feel more prepared. Here are a few truths that might help you feel ready for what’s ahead: 

  • It’s possible to love your baby with all your heart and still feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even numb. These feelings don’t mean you’re failing as a mom—they simply mean you’re human. Motherhood is an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s okay to have tough moments along with the beautiful ones.

  • Bonding isn’t always instant. For some moms, it’s love at first sight—the moment they meet their baby, they feel a sense of peace and an overwhelming joy. But for others, the connection deepens over time as you settle into your new role as mom and begin to feel more secure in this chapter. As you learn to understand your baby’s cries, smiles, and little gestures, that love grows and evolves in its own beautiful way.

  • You might grieve your old life, and that’s completely normal. It doesn’t mean you regret the life you’re building with your baby—it simply means you’re processing the changes that come with becoming a mom. It’s okay to miss who you were before, while also embracing the person you’re growing into along the way.

  • Exhaustion hits differently when it’s emotional. Sleep deprivation is tough, but mental depletion can be just as draining, and it’s something that often goes unspoken. Having someone check in on you—not just the baby—can make all the difference.

Mental Health Deserves a Spot on Your Registry

We build baby registries to prepare for life after birth—but what if we used them to prepare for you, too? It’s perfectly okay to include things that support your well-being on the registry—most people will appreciate the chance to show up for you in meaningful ways. When you’re nourished, rested, and cared for, your baby benefits, too.

Here are a couple ideas you might consider adding to your baby registry or sharing with your support crew:

  • Add a Fourth Trimester Fund to Your Registry: By adding this fund to your Poppylist baby registry, your support crew can contribute to the care you truly need. These funds can be used for things like hiring a doula, booking virtual lactation consultations, scheduling pelvic floor therapy, or even bringing in help for house cleaning. It’s a thoughtful way to make sure you’re taken care of as you navigate the new, beautiful chaos of motherhood.

  • Simplify Mealtime with Mama Meals: Take that stress of preparing meals off your plate by having warm, organic, and nourishing meals delivered directly to you. Proper nutrition during this time can have a positive impact on your mood, energy levels, and overall mental health. By fueling your body with wholesome, easily digestible meals, Mama Meals helps you focus on what matters most—bonding with your baby and taking care of yourself. 

Add a Mama Meals kit to your registry or order for yourself to eliminate the task of meal prep and ensure you’re nourished during those precious first months. Add to your registry or shop here. 

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Here’s what I didn’t realize: You can prepare for everything, and still be caught off guard by how you feel.

If you find yourself crying more than usual, feeling anxious all the time, angry, empty, disconnected, or not like yourself—please know those are signs to reach out, not push through.

There’s strength in saying, “I’m not okay.” There’s courage in saying, “I need help.”

You are not alone. And you are not failing.

Support is out there—whether it’s from your OB, your partner, your friend, or a therapist. Here are a few resources that many moms have found helpful:

Further Reading & Watching

If you’re looking to learn more or hear from others who’ve walked this path, these talks and reads offer insight, validation, and support:

Poppylist Webinar: Wellness in the postpartum period - how to support your mental health. 

Poppylist Webinar: Partners in postpartum - Eric Stein, the CEO of Mama Meals, shares a dad’s perspective on how to best support new moms during the postpartum period. 

TED Talk: A New Way to Think About the Transition to Motherhood — Dr. Alexandra Sacks introduces “matrescence,” the emotional shift that comes with motherhood.

TEDx Talk: More Than Just Depression — Emily Phelps shares her personal journey through multiple postpartum mood disorders.

Book: Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman — A comforting, illustrated guide that normalizes scary thoughts new moms often experience.

Book: The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody — A smart, honest guide to navigating the working mom transition, full of practical advice and real stories.

You Deserve to Feel Supported, Too

As you prepare to welcome your baby, don’t forget to prepare for yourself. Your mental and emotional well-being is just as worthy of attention as any stroller or swaddle. This journey is tender, transformative, and sometimes tough—but you don’t have to walk it alone.

There is no one right way to feel, and no perfect formula for navigating new motherhood. But there is space for your story. There is room for you to grow, grieve, rejoice, and recalibrate.

As we recognize May as Maternal Mental Health Month, let this serve as your reminder: your feelings are valid, your needs matter, and your well-being is essential—not just for you, but for your family. As you prep for baby, remember: you matter, too.

We see you, we’re rooting for you, and we hope this reminder stays with you long after the checklist is done.