Do I Need a Nutrition Coach After Baby? (What to Consider in the Postpartum Season)
By Jillian Hopkins, Certified Pregnancy Nutrition Coach | Published: September 29, 2025
You’re 3 weeks postpartum, you’ve finally put the baby down to sleep for a minute and you’re staring into the fridge. You’re starving, but your only options are your toddler’s leftover mac and cheese or a piece of pizza from two days ago. You choose both because hey, you’re breastfeeding and the weight is going to “fall off”....right?
This is the reality for many postpartum moms. It isn’t filled with green smoothies and elaborate three course meals; it’s usually grab whatever you can because on top of sleep deprivation and hormones - a new mom has no time to be hangry.
So what’s the best game plan?
Is nutrition really that important during this time?
Do postpartum moms really need a nutrition coach?
If so, when is the best time to start?
Let’s get into it...
Women’s bodies are incredible. I mean, they grow and birth humans from scratch! But with all the beauty of that process comes a lot of HARD: the healing (both physically, mentally and emotionally), hormones fluctuating, functioning on very little sleep, and learning how to take care of a vulnerable little baby, or how to take care of multiple little people together at the same time now.
Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or somewhere in between - the demands on your body and mind are nonstop.
On top of all of that, many women feel like a foreigner in their own body after having a baby. What was once a firm baby bump is now a softer belly that jiggles when you walk.
It’s ok to want to feel and look like yourself again post-baby, but here’s the thing: postpartum nutrition isn’t about dieting, squeezing into your pre-pregnancy jeans or “bouncing back.” It’s about fueling your recovery, stabilizing your mood, and giving yourself enough energy to fuel your little one and feel human again. The aesthetics will follow.
Food impacts how you feel more than many realize — energy levels, mood swings, brain fog, and even anxiety can all be tied to how and what you’re eating.
Without support, knowledge or accountability, it’s easy to under-fuel (“it’s 4pm and I haven’t eaten yet?!”) or over-indulge (hello breastfeeding hunger!).
This is where a nutrition coach comes in!
A good postpartum nutrition coach isn’t going to give you a cookie cutter meal plan filled with a serving of almonds for a snack and tilapia for lunch, but instead going to be someone to give you so much more.
What do you get when you sign up with Honor Your Nutrition?
Personalized guidance (Are you working? Do you cook? Are you alone or do you have a hands-on spouse? Do you have other little ones?)
Accountability (Someone there to say, “hey, we’re not giving up here, we have goals!”)
Realistic steps based on the season you’re in (Steps that don’t include 3-hour meal preps.)
Encouragement & Education (Postpartum is a fragile state but learning how to fuel yourself as a mom in all of the different seasons that come with motherhood is invaluable.)
Hiring a postpartum nutrition coach is about building sustainable habits so you feel grounded, strong, and supported.
If you’re exhausted, second-guessing every food choice, or constantly saying “I’ll start on Monday,” then having someone walk alongside you could make all the difference — for you and the family you take care of.
So, what does working with a coach at Honor Your Nutrition actually look like?
Daily, personalized habit tracking
Weekly check-ins where we look at progress, biofeedback and mindset (including recordings of your coach walking through your check-in, making tweaks, and offering tips/strategies)
Access to resources that are helpful in your motherhood journey
A community of like-minded women who are all trying to better themselves
A personal cheerleader who always has your best interest in mind and wants to see you feel and look your best as you navigate this new chapter
When is the best time to start?
You want my real opinion? Ok well, NOW is the best time to start.
Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, 1 week postpartum or 6 months, starting to work out again or you’ve never worked out in your life — nutrition is important.
Whether you’ve tracked macros before or don’t know what a carbohydrate is, whether you want to lose weight or build muscle, good habits and a solid routine are important.
It is never too late or too early to gain knowledge about how to feel good, create positive daily habits and build resilience which will carry you through motherhood and beyond.
Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It’s important to take care of yourself so you can take care of everyone else.
Putting yourself first IS putting your family first. You don’t have to do this alone.
