CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Daphne Oz on Being a New Mom

“It’s so much harder than I imagined!”
save article
profile picture of Elena Donovan Mauer
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Daphne Oz

We checked in with The Bump cover girl and star of _The Chew _to see how she’s adjusting to parenthood and what it was like to go back to work after maternity leave. Plus, her advice on what to eat during the new-mom phase.

The Bump: How have you adjusted to being a mom?
Daphne Oz:
Can I just say, it is so much harder than I imagined! I had three younger siblings and liked to joke that I helped raise them, but you really have no idea what a juggling act motherhood is until you have your own. You just care so much, and want everything to be perfect. And even though you know it never can be, you keep trying your best. It’s never enough!

I think the biggest change and challenge for me was coming to terms with the fact that being a good mom is not something you can read up on or learn from a distance. You have to jump in headfirst, and get your hands dirty. It’s really something you just have to live and enjoy in the moment and allow yourself to grow into. Becoming a new mom has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, and the most fun.

TB: All new moms have a first “OMG I’m a mom!” moment. What was yours?
DO: Right after Philomena (Philo) was born, the nurse put her on my chest and we made eye contact. She was totally alien, and totally familiar at the same time. I remember looking up at my husband and back at our daughter and just feeling overwhelmed with love. But you haven’t lived until you’ve been pooped, peed or barfed on by your own child. It’s just hysterical — and oddly, not that gross.
 
TB: You went back to work on _The Chew _about two months after her birth. How was that?
DO: To be honest, I had no idea how hard going back to work would be before I gave birth. When the time came, I was anxious about leaving our little nest — I hadn’t been apart from Philo for more than an hour or so ever. And I definitely didn’t feel like I was “back to my old self” after the first eight weeks. I still couldn’t keep a train of thought on track. Baby brain is no joke. And then I got back to set and everything just felt like home. My co-hosts and the team at _The Chew _are like family, so that made it much easier.

But I also began to realize I wasn’t going to be to my old self ever again. I’m a new, hopefully better, version of me now, with lots more to care and think about, and a lot more personal knowledge too.
 
TB: We love Philomena’s name! How did you come up with it and the cute nicknames, Philo and PBJ?
DO: My husband and I had names for a boy and girl picked out, since we didn’t find out the gender in advance, and Philo was one of our favorite girl names. Once we put it together with her middle name, Bijou, and saw how cute her initials would be as PBJ, we were sold. But we also kept an open mind because I’m a big believer that babies have to fit their names, so we wanted to leave leeway in case she was just so not a Philomena.
 
TB: What parenting advice has your dad, Dr. Mehmet Oz, given you?
DO: Right after Philo was born, my dad told my husband and me that raising children will take more time, energy and devotion than anything else we do, and will make us prouder and happier than anything else we do. He also is constantly reminding us to have tons of fun with it. He is such a playful parent and invented tons of games and stories for us as kids, and I know it made him sad when we grew out of that phase. He can’t wait to get to do it all over again as a grandpa!

TB: What nutrition advice do you have for new moms?
DO: I really struggled at first to figure out the best foods for breast milk production, to balance energy on little-to-no sleep, and, most importantly, what kinds of fast meals I could eat one-handed. The best piece of advice is to never turn down a free meal — if someone offers to cook for you, accept!

I would make big batches of slow-cooked oatmeal (spend 20 to 45 minutes on the steel cut variety for even better milk results, but make enough that you only have to do it once or twice a week) and chicken barley soup with mushrooms and carrots to keep in the fridge for fast, easy meals. I ate a ton of sweet potatoes with olive oil, or stuffed with avocado and baked salmon — healthy fats are especially important for baby’s developing brain. I found protein was really valuable for energy too, and relied heavily on fast omelets with whatever I had lying around the fridge: Goat cheese, black olives, spinach and onions is a favorite right now.
 
My husband has really stepped up his game too. He makes an incredible Asian-style baked salmon with ginger, soy sauce, lemon, honey and scallions. As Philo gets bigger and is happy to hang out in the bouncy chair in the kitchen with me, I’m looking forward to trying out some new recipes I’ve had on hold.
 
TB: What is your favorite baby gear item so far?
DO: I don’t know what I would do without my baby carrier. It’s the only thing that will soothe Philo if she’s overtired or just needs a little extra skin time. I have a BabyBjörn that I love, but I also ordered an Ergobaby and a Solly Baby wrap to try. I think they’re all great for different reasons; some are better for babies at different weights and stages, and it also depends on mom’s body and how she prefers to carry that weight. An added bonus is that Philo only really naps if she’s being walked around in a carrier or stroller — I think she’s kindly giving me a way to try and work off some of this baby weight!

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

hanukkah gifts hero
The Best Hanukkah Gift Ideas for Babies, Toddlers and Caregivers
By Cassie Kreitner
gratitude tablecloth for thanksgiving
The Viral Gratitude Tablecloth Tradition You Can Try This Thanksgiving
By Wyndi Kappes
friends giving pregnant woman gifts
45 Best Mom-To-Be Gifts That Celebrate Her
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
ADVERTISEMENT
mom talking to son
The Parenting Hack Going Viral: Mastering the 'When/Then' Reframe
By Wyndi Kappes
andy cohen and kids
Bravo’s Andy Cohen Shares His Best Piece of Parenting Advice
By Wyndi Kappes
mom and dad holding newborn baby at home
Viral Post Shares How to Raise Your First Baby Like It’s Your Third
By Wyndi Kappes
mombies dancing to raise money this halloween
Meet the “Mombies” Raising Money for Cancer Research
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
kids trick or treating for halloween
These Are the Top 15 States for Trick-or-Treating in 2023
By Wyndi Kappes
Christmas Gifts for Grandparents Hero
36 Festive and Fun Christmas Gifts for Grandparents
By Danielle Halibey
Christmas Gifts for Parents Hero
45 Christmas Gifts for Parents on the Nice List
By Martina Garvey
ADVERTISEMENT
New Dad Gifts-hero
The Best Gifts for New Dads to Suit Any Budget
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
Breast Cancer Awareness Hero
14 Gifts That Give Back for Breast Cancer Awareness
By Martina Garvey
tb-matching-family-pajamas-HERO
36 Matching Family Pajamas for the Holidays and Beyond
By The Bump Editors
ADVERTISEMENT
Big Sister Gift Hero
23 Big Sister Gifts to Celebrate Her New Status
By Cassie Kreitner
dad and daughter drawing at home
How Dads Can Help Boost Their Child’s Early Educational Success
By Wyndi Kappes
US actor Josh Duhamel (L) and his wife US model Audra Mari pose during a photocall for the Golden Nymph Awards ceremony of the 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival in the principalty of Monaco on June 20, 2023
Josh Duhamel’s Son Axl Has Adorable Reaction to New Big Brother Role
By Wyndi Kappes
ms rachel stands up to body shamer
Ms. Rachel Stands Up to Body Shamers in New Video
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
happy family walking in city
These Top 15 Family-Friendly Cities Offer Amazing Outdoor Spaces
By Wyndi Kappes
family-halloween-costumes-HERO
Spooktacular Family Halloween Costumes
By Martina Garvey
daddy daughter target date
Adorable Daddy/Daughter Date at Target Melts Hearts in Viral TikTok
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List