How I’m Preparing My Business + Life for Maternity Leave With Baby #3

Jun 09, 2025

As I get ready to welcome our third baby girl next month, I’ve been slowly preparing both my business and our home for this next chapter. With each pregnancy, I’ve learned more about what truly matters, and this time I’m leaning into simplicity, rest, and intention. In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve been doing behind the scenes to create space for postpartum healing while keeping things steady in my business.

Preparing My Business for Baby #3

1. Wrapping up client projects + saying no to new ones

I stopped accepting new website design clients a few months ago and shifted my focus to servicing existing clients, especially those on quarterly retainers. I’ve been batching that work early in the quarter, so my calendar is clear when baby arrives later in the month. I want to step away knowing nothing is left hanging.

2. Trimming business expenses

I took a good look at my subscriptions and temporarily paused or downgraded anything I didn’t absolutely need. Here's a little tip: sometimes when you go to cancel a subscription, they automatically offer you a discount! Every little bit of saved energy and money counts when you’re heading into a season of rest.

3. Outsourcing and building support

I brought on two trusted website contractors who can step in if anything urgent arises. This gives me peace of mind knowing my clients are still supported without me needing to be on call. We can’t do it all on our own. Outsource help where you can!

4. Batching content in advance

I’m slowly stacking up podcast episodes, emails, and social posts so that I can stay present with my audience without being actively “online.” I’m not aiming for perfection, just enough presence to keep things moving forward. If I feel inspired to pop in here and there, I can. But I don’t need to.

5. Lining up work for my return

I booked a client project for October so there’s no pressure to dive back in at full speed. I can return slowly, 1–2 days a week, knowing there's something waiting for me when I’m ready.

Preparing My Life + Home for Baby #3

1. Embracing imperfection + rest

This time, I’m not bouncing back. With my second baby, I was hiking days after birth… and it caught up to me. This time, I’m prioritizing full healing at least two weeks of real rest, no stairs, no outings. Just me, baby, and quiet. I’m treating postpartum as a sacred time of rest.

2. Stocking up on essentials

We’re planning a big Costco haul for snacks and easy meals, stocking up on paper goods (to minimize dishes!), and gathering my favorite postpartum items — pads, healing sprays, nipple cream, teas, and belly wraps. Everything I’ve learned I actually need. (Scroll down to see my postpartum must-haves!)

3. Creating postpartum care stations

Another thing I'm doing to help me in my postpartum phase is setting up "care stations" around my house to create ease for myself during my recovery. I've set up three stations:

Bedroom cart: diapers, wipes, burp cloths, snacks, hakaaa, heating pad, hand lotion, nipple butter, belly wrap, eye mask, vitamins, etc. to make it easy for me to grab what I need day or night during those first few weeks!
Bathroom basket: pads, herbal sprays, perineal ice packs - everything I need at my disposal in the bathroom
Living room station: changing table with more supplies + breastfeeding items.

Having things where I’ll need them means I won’t have to move much in those first few days and weeks.

4. Decluttering for mental clarity

Over the past few months, I’ve been slowly decluttering our whole home from the closets and dressers, to toy bins and the pantry. I want every drawer I open postpartum to feel calm and simple.

5. Setting up for the big sisters

Since we homeschool and co-op is off during the summer, our older girls will be home with us most of the time. I’ve stocked their playroom, organized their toys, and planned some fun water-based outdoor play to keep things light and joyful. I want this transition to feel magical for them, too.

My Word for Postpartum: Ease

This season isn’t about perfection. It’s about ease. About choosing what will actually help me rest, heal, and be present.

If you’re pregnant right now, planning for baby soon, or even dreaming of a future where you run a business and raise your family with intention, I hope this gives you ideas, reassurance, or even just a gentle nudge to honor what you need.

I’ll be linking my favorite postpartum must-haves below.

Have questions or want to chat more about this topic? I’d love to connect! You can always find me @ErinNicolePratt on Instagram.

Postpartum Favorites:

Postpartum Recovery Must-Haves

Nursing + Feeding Support

Comfort + Convenience at Home

Rest + Nervous System Support

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