Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

I don't know if I have this, but I feel so anxious being a new Mom. I feel like I can't soothe her or get her to sleep longer than 1 hour at a time. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, and the thought of going back to my crazy full-time job has me seriously depressed...

My DD is 8 weeks and I feel like it is much harder now than at the beginning. We were spending a lot of time learning to BF and such and now I feel like I don't always know what to do with her. I feel like I should be playing more with her, but she seems disinterested and all these games they say to play, she doesn't really seem like she wants to. She gets overstimulated, etc.

I did some searches on here for witching hour and read that a lot of girls go through this, I was just looking for some comforting words from some BTDT Moms. When does it get easier and did anyone who BF ever take medication to feel better? I feel like that may help but feel so guilty taking something that can pass to her.

Thanks for reading and listening to me vent..

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Even after having 2 children I feel the same way. DS spends a lot of his day swinging away in his swing. We do some tummy time...some toys...that his sister immediately takes away from him . Sounds like you are doing everything right. Newborns don't need too much stimulation...they have very simple lives at this point.

When 6pm rolls around I'm usually walking DS around to try to avoid the witching hour/screaming which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. He's 9 weeks old. It's def gotten a lot better. The witching hour usually magically disappears around 3 months.

With my dd I had a lot of anxiety, thought I wasn't doing enough, she wasn't happy, etc. Now with my DS when he cries I hold him up and laugh then kiss him and say, you are so damn cute...because I am more relaxed and know it's a phase and he isn't in any pain. Hang in there...it's very overwhelming in the beginning.

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Posted by Kitkat

Even after having 2 children I feel the same way. DS spends a lot of his day swinging away in his swing. We do some tummy time...some toys...that his sister immediately takes away from him . Sounds like you are doing everything right. Newborns don't need too much stimulation...they have very simple lives at this point.

When 6pm rolls around I'm usually walking DS around to try to avoid the witching hour/screaming which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. He's 9 weeks old. It's def gotten a lot better. The witching hour usually magically disappears around 3 months.

With my dd I had a lot of anxiety, thought I wasn't doing enough, she wasn't happy, etc. Now with my DS when he cries I hold him up and laugh then kiss him and say, you are so damn cute...because I am more relaxed and know it's a phase and he isn't in any pain. Hang in there...it's very overwhelming in the beginning.

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

I had PPD with both of my babies- and I have 2 under 2 now.

It does get easier with time- definitely! You will NOT feel this way forever.

You may just have normal anxiety from having a big life change. It sounds like you are a great mom- your baby is perfectly normal- newborns don't need much stimulation at all!

Please FM if you need to talk!

There are defintiely meds that are safe to take when BFing.....

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

It's hard with an 8 week old. DS is 12 weeks now and I know he is bored at home. So we go out every day. Even if its just to a store.

I don't feel like he is old enough or interested in participating in any of the newborn "games".

But when we are out and about he is just chill.

I don't have anxiety or PPD. I am BFing and haven't taken any meds since I recovered from my c-section.

But, to me it sounds like you might be a little tough on yourself.

Babies cry. Babies go through scheduling issues. Babies are not always happy. And babies are certainly not easy to deal with 24/7.

I think you are also adding pressure to an already stressful situation by thinking about going back to work. Try to put that on the back burner for a bit.

And when all else fails, never hesitate to try to talk to someone about it!

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

A lot better! Thank you!
Just sleep deprived....

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

i thought i had it too.....i actually wasnt eating at the beginning bc i had such a loss of appetite from my emotions and from just simply being overwhelmed....im still overwhelmed especially since dd has just been diagnosed with acid reflux and the days can be soooooooooooo hard with the painful cries....i too have those feelings of not doing enough especially with the crying im so down on myself that i cant soothe her or do the "right" thing for her whatever that is....make sure to have someone to talk to to get it out....like today i had an emotional meltdown while dd was screaming on the phone with my mother....she helped me through it....its so good to talk it out....but i think both of us are being to hard on ourselves and reading what these other great moms are saying on this thread makes me feel a little better i hope it does for u too

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Posted by JenandMikey

i thought i had it too.....i actually wasnt eating at the beginning bc i had such a loss of appetite from my emotions and from just simply being overwhelmed....im still overwhelmed especially since dd has just been diagnosed with acid reflux and the days can be soooooooooooo hard with the painful cries....i too have those feelings of not doing enough especially with the crying im so down on myself that i cant soothe her or do the "right" thing for her whatever that is....make sure to have someone to talk to to get it out....like today i had an emotional meltdown while dd was screaming on the phone with my mother....she helped me through it....its so good to talk it out....but i think both of us are being to hard on ourselves and reading what these other great moms are saying on this thread makes me feel a little better i hope it does for u too

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Posted by karanthony

I helped raise my niece and nephew and thought I would have this baby thing down pat, but it is really much harder when you have your own!! I want to feel like a good Mom and want only to do what's right for DD.

It is comforting to hear from others with similar experience and those going through it at the same time too!

Message edited 9/26/2008 1:21:36 PM.

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Posted by JenandMikey

Posted by karanthony

I helped raise my niece and nephew and thought I would have this baby thing down pat, but it is really much harder when you have your own!! I want to feel like a good Mom and want only to do what's right for DD.

It is comforting to hear from others with similar experience and those going through it at the same time too!

ok this sounds just like me! my bro had twins....and i had babysat with my mom for them a couple of times and they were both colic! torture! but i thought it was gonna be ok bc i was able to handle two of them at the same time.....nope bc i got to send them home or go home!....this can get so frustrating and overwhelming bc we are around it all the time! there is no going home or sending her/him home.....and thats exactly what ive been saying to my mom...."i just want to do the "right" thing....i just want to be a "good" mom...but seriously i think us just saying that makes us good moms if u havent realized y im so optimistic....yes kaylie is napping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for the love of god i could jump up and down fromthe excitement but damn it id wake her up

eta ur daughter is beautiful! and i lovvvvvvve her name!!!!!!!

Re: Post Partum Depression/Anxiety - Long, sorry

Posted by karanthony

Posted by JenandMikey

Posted by karanthony

I helped raise my niece and nephew and thought I would have this baby thing down pat, but it is really much harder when you have your own!! I want to feel like a good Mom and want only to do what's right for DD.

It is comforting to hear from others with similar experience and those going through it at the same time too!

ok this sounds just like me! my bro had twins....and i had babysat with my mom for them a couple of times and they were both colic! torture! but i thought it was gonna be ok bc i was able to handle two of them at the same time.....nope bc i got to send them home or go home!....this can get so frustrating and overwhelming bc we are around it all the time! there is no going home or sending her/him home.....and thats exactly what ive been saying to my mom...."i just want to do the "right" thing....i just want to be a "good" mom...but seriously i think us just saying that makes us good moms if u havent realized y im so optimistic....yes kaylie is napping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for the love of god i could jump up and down fromthe excitement but damn it id wake her up

eta ur daughter is beautiful! and i lovvvvvvve her name!!!!!!!

Thank you!!!! By the way, where does your DD nap? I am so OCD about her napping in the crib. I think I need to go with the flow more...