31 Journal Prompts for Postpartum Moms

Postpartum is this weird period where you’re a new mom and you’re experiencing all these new things – some call this the “fourth trimester.” The fourth trimester is the first 12 weeks after birth when you’re adapting to caring for this new human but you’re still dealing with all the hormonal changes and changes in your body which can leave you feeling a little wonky. This is why I like to recommend journaling during this period, and why you should try these journal prompts for postpartum moms.

Here’s the deal, some moms have the hardest time during postpartum but receive the least amount of help and support in comparison to the rest of their pregnancy. While we get optimal care when our babies are still inside of us, all we get is an entry quiz at our baby’s appointments and a six-week appointment for ourselves. Not a lot when you think about the change our body and life is going through.

We’re left to find support where we can and support ourselves in one of the few ways we know how. For me, journaling was a huge help.

How Does Journaling Help With Your Mental Health Postpartum?

Journaling has been found to help manage anxiety, reduce stress, and cope with depression.

By journaling, you’re helping yourself prioritize problems, fears, and concerns. You’re able to tackle any symptoms day to day and begin to recognize triggers and learn better ways to control them. And finally, you’re providing yourself with an opportunity to positively connect with yourself and identify negative thoughts and behaviors.

You don’t have to stop journaling after you’ve passed the fourth trimester. In fact, journaling is recommended at any stage of motherhood or self-development.

Journal Prompts for Postpartum Moms

When choosing journal prompts for postpartum moms, you want to look for a variety that engages your opinions and feelings around yourself and your new “life.” A good balance between your observations, your relationships, and your mental health is necessary. Of course, choose the prompts that you feel best work for you as they’ll provide the most insight.

Here are our favorite journal prompts for postpartum moms:

Who were the first visitors to come see you and your baby?
Was there something that someone did for your during after birth that stood out to you?
How do you feel about your birth experience?
Were you able to follow your birth plan? How does that make you feel?
What was your first thought when you first saw your baby?
How do you feel about yourself right now?
What is one thing that amazed you during birth?
Do you feel supported during this time postpartum?
What’s one thing you wish you could change right now?
What are three things you would like to thank your postpartum body for?
What is the best thing you’ve discovered about being a mom postpartum?
If you could talk to yourself before birth, what advice would you give?
Share a moment you’ve had during the last few weeks that you’ve felt confident.
List five ways that your friends or family can support you right now.
What is one thing that you need that you’re having trouble communicating?
If this is not your first baby, how does this postpartum experience compare to the past?
What’s one way you could show appreciation to your postpartum body right now?
List three ways you can prioritize self-care.
What is your biggest struggle postpartum?
Jot down your birth story – share how you felt and what happened.
Write a letter to your baby.
How do you feel about the bond with your baby?
Write a letter to your postpartum self.
What is something that you’ve accomplished today?
Name three reasons you’re the best mom ever.
What is your biggest fear?
What is the biggest decision you’ve made postpartum?
What is a goal that you want to accomplish by the end of the fourth trimester?
How are you struggling to adapt in motherhood?
List four ways you can relax today.
Have your postpartum plans changed from before you had your baby? How?

Looking for more journal prompts for moms? Check out these journal prompts to help moms feel more confident and these journal prompts for new moms!

Tips for Journaling as a Postpartum Mom

Those first 12 weeks postpartum are some of the hardest times in your life – which means that journaling might be the last thing on your mind. Still, I promise that making the time each day to journal even a sentence or two can make a huge difference. Here are some tips that you can follow to start and keep up with journaling:

Write every day, but don’t stress about the time. If you’re journaling at 4am one day and 7pm the next, take the win. The first two weeks of newborn sleep is everywhere, do what you can when you can and worry about consistency later.

Make it easy on yourself. Keep your journal entries short and sweet if necessary, keep pen and paper handy at all times, or even journal on your phone in your notes or with an app.

Be flexible. You don’t have to write, you can draw or doodle if that feels better to you. You can even do a mix of both.

Keep your journal private or share your thoughts. You don’t have any obligation to show off your journal entries – you can keep them completely private. But, if you’re comfortable, you can also share your entries with someone you trust.

Follow journal prompts. Journaling from scratch can cause you to freeze up and wind up not journaling. Utilize journal prompts, like these journal prompts for postpartum moms, to make it easier until you get the hang of it.

Do you think you’ll start journaling during your fourth trimester or those first 12 weeks postpartum? Let us know in the comments below!