If there’s one thing I know, it’s that bringing a new baby into the world can be totally overwhelming. You start to realize this more and more the closer you get to your delivery date. With every passing day, the fact that your growing baby bump will soon be a little bundle of joy in your arms begins to feel a lot more like reality. And along with that amazing feeling of excitement for your new little one can come some little doubts – for example, questioning whether you’re really ready to care for a newborn. This all culminates after your baby is born – they call it the postpartum baby blues.
As your hormones go through major changes (yet again) and you’re living in a super sleep deprived state where every waking moment you are suddenly caring for a newborn, feeling a little down can be a totally normal part of the postpartum period. Add in the fact that your body doesn’t feel anything like your own and it’s easy to see why so many mamas feel a little down after delivery. To help you figure out how to deal with all the life changes and emotions that can appear after your baby arrives, I’ve got all of the best tips for coping with the postpartum baby blues below.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
Feeling like you just can’t do it all after your baby arrives is totally normal. So instead of looking at your to-do list with a feeling of frustration, cut yourself some slack. Although it might not feel like it right now, the weeks after you give birth go by really quickly. Enjoy your time with your baby and don’t worry so much about keeping up with the household chores. Instead, take friends and family up on their offers to bring by food and clean your house. If you can, hire a short-term housekeeper to pick up some of the slack. The more you can focus on just being a mom and adjusting to your new routine, the easier it will be. And eventually, you’ll get back on track. You know, once you can actually get some sleep!
Connect with Other Moms
One of the best things I did after the birth of my first child was to get out and connect with other moms. I joined a few online moms groups and ultimately connected with a bunch of awesome mamas in my town who got together weekly for playdates. Getting out of the house and having a chance to talk with other moms on a regular basis can help you feel less like you’re doing this completely on your own, as well as help you to see that it’s totally normal to feel less like yourself than usual after baby comes. And it’s a great way to infuse some fun into your daily routine, which can help you snap out of those postpartum baby blues a little more quickly!
Get Some Rest
Remember the first trimester of pregnancy, when all you wanted was a mid-afternoon nap to keep those nauseous feelings at bay? The postpartum baby blues are kind of the same, because they are totally magnified by not getting enough sleep. Sure, caffeine can help – but nothing can really replace an extra hour of sleep in your day. So listen when people tell you to nap when your baby does. A little extra rest can go a long way towards feeling more like yourself at the end of the day.
Postpartum Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
Feeling a little down after having a baby is totally normal. In fact, it’s estimated that around 80 percent of new moms deal with some degree of this after having a baby. But if you continue to feel down for more than two or three weeks after your baby arrives, it’s time to check in with your doctor. They can help you find more intense support and give you the right resources to handle what you’re feeling. And that can definitely get you back to feeling like yourself more quickly.
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