The New Mom’s Survival Guide to Unsolicited Advice
Congratulations!
You’re pregnant and about to start the most amazing, chaotic, wild ride of your life. But as soon as you announce it, it kinda feels like everybody and their mother (literally) has advice for you. Some of this advice might be helpful, of course, but most of it just leaves you feeling confused, overwhelmed, and (if you’re anything like me) annoyed.
Unsolicited advice stings because it feels like people are saying they don’t trust you to make your own choices. But if the truth be told, when someone dishes out advice you didn’t ask for, it’s usually more about them than it is about you.
So why does unsolicited advice feel so icky? Because it’s actually just criticism. And it’s intrusive. Condescending. Self-serving. Presumptive. Unhelpful.
And if you’re planning a birth or your parenting style doesn’t align with mainstream expectations, brace yourself… because there’s likely going to be even more of it. It seems like everyone everywhere has a horror story, a “reason” you’re making the “wrong” choice, or a thousand “Yeah, but…” follow-ups. They’ll project their fears onto you and expect you to adjust your life to soothe their anxieties.
But the good news is that you don’t have to absorb any of it.
Sime Suggestions for Dealing with Unsolicited Advice
Take a deep breath, smile, and say, “Thanks.” And then ignore their advice.
If someone keeps pushing, set boundaries. Be assertive and say something like, “Thanks for your concern, but I’m confident in my choices.”
Surround yourself with people who support your choices. Join natural birth groups, prenatal yoga classes, or online communities with like-minded mamas. These are the spaces where you can vent, ask questions, feel validated, and hopefully make friends.
Be as informed as possible so you can respond to unsolicited advice confidently and back it up with facts when you feel like it.
Trust your gut. Nobody understands your needs, your body or your baby better than you. If it feels off, speak up. If it feels right, own it.
And here’s an extra tip that many new moms don’t realize: your postpartum recovery matters just as much as your birth choices. Moms in South Jersey, Philadelphia, and Central Jersey are turning to placenta encapsulation to support mental health, energy, and milk supply after birth.
Placenta pills can help ease postpartum anxiety and depression, support hormone balance, and promote physical recovery. And when you work with me, you’re not just getting placenta encapsulation—you’re getting guidance every step of the way. I’m trained as a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist with Postpartum Support International, so I know how to support you through the fourth trimester and help you feel confident, informed, and empowered.
Motherhood is your journey—don’t let unsolicited advice shake your confidence. Stay strong, stay curious, and stay true to yourself. Click here to learn more about placenta encapsulation in South Jersey, Central Jersey, and Philadelphia, and how I can support you through a healthy, confident, and supported postpartum recovery.
Curious about what to do with your placenta after birth? Head to my website and grab your free guide Your Placenta. Your Choice.
