ppd/ baby blues help?

I just have birth to my son on Friday and since we got home from the hospital I've had som crying fits and sadness. I sometimes miss our easy life before and not that I regret having him but Iam having a hard time adjusting to him in the house. DH and I have been together since we were 15 so that might have something to do with how Iam feeling, like a little intruder in our lives, lol. I miss our time together...Don't get me wrong Iam totally in awe and in love with my son but I just feel off. Also, he seems to cry a lot, like he's never just awake, he's awake and crying and then doesn't sleep much. I don't know what Iam doing wrong, I feel so guilty. DH had been a huge help, but Iam BF so I haven't slept more than an hour at a time maybe 3 hours total a night. Any advice? I hope you don't think Iam a terrible Mom, Iam just having som trouble adjusting to this so far.... I also don't want my husband to go back to work, Iam so scared of doing this without his help and that's making me anxious as well.

eta... what helps me most is going to walks around the neighborhood with ds and dh....maybe cause we are actually doing something instead of sitting on the couch feeding....I really look forward to our walks on nice days..,maybe I need to get out more, but it's only been 5 days..

Message edited 5/8/2013 2:59:54 PM.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

Having a baby is a HUGE adjustment. You just had him on Friday (congrats!!), give yourself a break. It takes A LOT to get used to going from a family of 2, to a family of 3…

And about being alone with your LO. I was TERRIFIED of being alone with DD. I thought I was going to break her or something. But, when we were alone, we were fine.

Give yourself time to adjust…lots of hugs to you.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

First off you aren't a terrible mom so don't feel that way. A baby is a huge change and you are still a brand new mom. Your hormones are still out of whack. It is normal to have baby blues in the beginning but if more time has gone by you should definitely start off by talking with your ob. I went through PPD after my son and I saw a social worker and went to the PPD support group at St. Catherines and took some medicine. I also BF and my little guy had reflux (cried all the time) and everything just felt so stressful. It will get better. You still need to adjust to this new person in your home and in your life. Give it some more time and if you are still feeling like this definitely talk to your ob she/he can help you in the right direction. Congrats on your new little one.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

take a breather with BOTH of my kids, I had the overwhelming feeling of "what did we do?!" I felt like I couldn't do it, at times I didn't WANT to do it I was tired, in pain, emotional, hormonal. It is ALL normal

give yourself some time. do not feel guilty because of your feelings. Everything will settle into place and the new routine will become normal

ETA - i found that it helped to not let myself think too far ahead, not to think about tomorrow or the next day just to take it one moment at a time. deal with the here and now and worry about nothing else.

Message edited 5/8/2013 3:27:03 PM.

ppd/ baby blues help?

First of all, congratulations! Do not beat yourself up for feeling this way at all, it is completely normal. I was a wreck for the 1st 4 weeks, almost to the point of looking in to getting help for PPD when all of a sudden, I just felt better. DH and I have also been together for a very long time, so adjusting to life with someone else in it was very hard (and still is, not gonna lie), but it WILL get easier. I definitely found that getting out of the house whenever I could helped my mood, I even hopped on the treadmill when DD napped, even if it was just for 10 minutes. Just something to make me feel like my "old" self again. You will be fine once your DH goes back to work, too. I was terrified and the first day alone was so incredibly hard, but after a few days, we fell into a routine and things got easier. It's hard to imagine it now, but things WILL get easier, just give it time. Congrats again and good luck!

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

Posted by maymama

take a breather with BOTH of my kids, I had the overwhelming feeling of "what did we do?!" I felt like I couldn't do it, at times I didn't WANT to do it I was tired, in pain, emotional, hormonal. It is ALL normal

give yourself some time. do not feel guilty because of your feelings. Everything will settle into place and the new routine will become normal

ETA - i found that it helped to not let myself think too far ahead, not to think about tomorrow or the next day just to take it one moment at a time. deal with the here and now and worry about nothing else.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

Congrats on being a new mommy!

We've all been there and the beginning is HARD. I think I cried almost every day in the beginning. Your hormones are totally out of whack, you are sleep deprived and your life has just changed dramatically. But, I can tell you this - IT GETS EASIER!

The first month is probably the hardest. i remember it got easier around 5 weeks and then again around 9 weeks. And now at 3 months I have a happy, smiley baby. He still cries, but you learn what the cries mean and can calm them down much faster. You get used to having a new life, but as your baby gets older, you'll find your pockets of free time or time with your husband.

Do you have someone who can watch the baby for a few hours so you can sleep? My sister came over one night early on and let DH and I sleep for 2 hours straight and I felt like I had just taken a vacation. As your baby gets older, they learn day from night and start sleeping longer stretches. That first time you get a 4 or 5 hour stretch you will feel amazing...but I promise you that becomes more regular.

What also really helped was getting out! Take walks, even if it's just around the block. Go to the store, even if you're just walking around CVS for 5 minutes. Grab a coffee and sit in DD for a few minutes. And you're lucky that the weather is nice...us winter mommies had it much harder!

Give it a few more weeks to see how things settle down, and if you still feel bad, then definitely talk to your dr.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

Totally normal. I went through PPD and it was terrible but I was aware of what I was going on and got help right away. I scared myself. Little by little it gets easier.

ppd/ baby blues help?

First of all, congratulations on your DS!

Second, what you are feeling is totally normal!! I know it is all so overwhelming and exhausting in the beginning but everything you are feeling is expected. You are NOT a horrible mom. Now as someone who had some serious ppd symptoms, I would speak to your obgyn if you are still feeling this way a few weeks from now. But being only 5 days ppd, this sounds normal to me. Hang in there! It gets so much better! And having a DS is amazing beyond words!

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

Congrats! 5 days PP, I think your feelings are normal. But I think it's great that you are tuned in and asking about it. Keep an eye on things and if you don't start to feel better soon, talk to your OB. And yes, try and get out for some fresh air, little walks, maybe even sit outside in the sun (you not baby!) and read or close your eyes for a few minutes while baby sleeps.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

You are not alone! Everything you are feeling is totally normal. I cried everyday at 6pm for days, probably about 10. I was an emotional wreck and it took me a little while to bond with DD. I love everyone and I thought I would love her the second I saw her, but after a hard labor and 3 epis I was so out of it and exhausted. I ebf'd her and I was an exhausted mess until she latched on her own at 10 days.

It does get better - you will see. Just let yourself feel what you are feeling and try not to stress about how you 'aren't supposed' to be feeling these things. That is not true.

Like you said, getting out of the house is a huge help. I also read a few non-baby related books those first few weeks when I had a few minutes -- it was my 'me' time. DH ran me baths and I would try my best to relax.

Definitely mention this to your ob/pediatrician and if your feelings last longer than a few weeks bring it up again.

Message edited 5/8/2013 9:12:30 PM.

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

You are not a bad mom at all. It's totally normal. I thought I was the most prepared mother in the world but once my first daughter was born, I felt like I had no idea what to do. I was terrified of being alone with her. When she cried (especially during the night my heart would race) even though I knew there was nothing wrong. I look back now and do feel a bit sad that I didn't appreciate that time as much as I should have. But it was all so new......go for walks, when she naps just relax.......and give yourself a break. Before you know it, it will feel like your little one has been in your life forever and you will adjust; just give it time!

Re: ppd/ baby blues help?

so normal!

i am still dealing with some ppd at almsot 6m pp

you are not not a bad mother!

it is a huge life change!

ppd/ baby blues help?

I went thought the same thing, pretty much word for word. It's a huge adjustment to go from just you and DH being able to do whatever whenever to now taking care of this little being around the clock and being completely sleep deprived. Just know that it gets better and easier every day and before you know it you'll have a little routine down and your baby will start crying less and less and start smiling and laughing more and more. And that makes it all so worth it. Keep going on walks as a family too and just get out and enjoy the weather. And don't feel guilty if you feel like crying sometimes. It doesn't mean you're and bad mom or don't love your baby. It's just a combo of all the pregnancy hormones, no sleep, and a huge adjustment. Youll get through it!