The standard advice is to wait six weeks. What nobody prepares you for is that six weeks can come and go and you might still feel like a stranger in your own skin — and that's entirely normal.
Postpartum recovery is not linear, and it's not just physical. Hormonal shifts (particularly the steep drop in oestrogen during breastfeeding), sleep deprivation, a fundamentally changed relationship with your body, and the sheer cognitive load of new parenthood all play a role.
Be patient with yourself first
There is no correct timeline for returning to intimacy after having a baby. Some women feel ready at eight weeks. Others need several months, or longer. Both are valid. The pressure — internal or external — to "get back to normal" is one of the least helpful things about the postpartum period.
Dryness is extremely common during breastfeeding
Low oestrogen levels during breastfeeding cause vaginal dryness in a significant number of women. This isn't a sign of anything wrong — and a good lubricant makes an enormous practical difference. Look for gentle, pH-balanced formulas without irritants.
Your relationship with your body has changed
That's not a bad thing, necessarily — but it does mean that what you enjoy, what feels comfortable, and what you need may be different than before. Treat this as an invitation to get to know yourself again, rather than a problem to solve.
Kegel exercises genuinely help
Pelvic floor recovery is significant, both for comfort and sensation. Kegel balls, used gently once you have medical clearance, can support this recovery while also increasing sensitivity over time