I didn’t expect recovery to look like this.
Especially not with a baby.
What started as a family trip to Panama quickly turned into something very different when I broke my ankle on February 3. Within a few days, we were navigating flights home, surgery, and the reality of recovery—while still caring for our baby.
It wasn’t easy. But we figured it out as we went.
If you’re going through something similar, or just want to know what this season looked like for us, here’s our experience.
The Timeline
Everything happened quickly at first, and then recovery felt very slow.
- February 3: Broke my ankle in Panama
- February 5: Flew home
- February 8: Surgery
- February 10: Back home and starting recovery
From there:
- No weight bearing until March 2
- Weight bearing in a boot until March 23
- Full weight bearing and the start of physio on March 23
It’s strange how something can feel so urgent in the beginning, and then stretch into weeks of slow progress.
The Hardest Part
The physical pain wasn’t the hardest part.
It was the lack of independence.
I couldn’t move from room to room with Parker at all. I couldn’t just pick him up and carry him where we needed to go. Every movement had to be planned, supported, or done by someone else.
That was the part that really got to me.
How We Made It Work at Home
We had to completely rethink our setup.
I created a little “station” on the couch where I spent most of my time:
- A diaper station within arm’s reach
- A play mat right beside me
- Snacks, water, and essentials all nearby
If I couldn’t easily reach it, it didn’t stay.
This setup made a huge difference in being able to still care for Parker during the day.
The Support That Carried Us
We couldn’t have done this alone.
Friends and family showed up in the best ways—bringing frozen meals, helping with groceries, and just being there when we needed it.
My mom also helped prep meals ahead of time, which took so much pressure off during those early weeks.
If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that support matters more than you think.
The Little Things That Helped
Some of the smallest adjustments made the biggest difference:
- A fanny pack so I could carry things while using the walker
- Keeping everything at waist height or within reach
- Using the stroller as support once I could start walking again
None of these things are complicated, but together they made daily life much more manageable.
Life with a Baby During Recovery
There was no “resting” in the traditional sense.
We slowed things down a lot. Most of our days were spent sitting—reading books, playing on the mat, and just being together.
It looked different than what I imagined postpartum life or travel recovery would look like, but those moments still mattered.
In some ways, it forced us to be more present.
Getting Out of the House Again
Leaving the house took more planning than before.
We started choosing places that offered wheelchair or scooter rentals, which made a huge difference. Parker would sit on my lap, and it gave us a way to still get out and do things together.
It wasn’t the same—but it helped us feel a bit more normal again.
What This Experience Taught Me
This wasn’t the trip we planned.
But it changed the way we think about travel, parenting, and flexibility.
Things won’t always go smoothly. Plans will change. And sometimes, you’ll be forced to slow down in ways you didn’t expect.
But you adapt.
And you figure it out.
And somehow, you come out of it more confident than before.
If you’re in a similar season—whether it’s recovery, travel with a baby, or just navigating the unexpected—know that it won’t always feel this hard.
And you’re not alone in it 🤍
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