Mamahood: Baby Blues

Truthfully, I was hesitant to write about this topic as there are so many opinions about the baby blues. I am obviously not a medical professional and I am speaking purely from my experience + from conversations I have had with other mommies.

Google has always been a go-to for me (ugh, it really is the worst thing sometimes!) but I found I would read sooooo much information + false data on pregnancy and post-partum life. I felt unnecessarily worried about how I would feel and how wild post-partum hormones were, and ultimately, I became worried that I wouldn’t know how to handle it all. Oh, the joys of the internet.

I was pregnant for 40 weeks + one day. I grew a sweet baby inside me: I felt him twist, kick, and hiccup. For those 40 weeks and one day, it was all about my sweet growing bump and the excitement building up to finally meet our little man. My hormones changed, settled, and surged again once having little George.

I so wish I could say that I didn’t feel an ounce of overwhelm or panic after my baby was born. I so wish I could say that I wasn’t worried that I wasn’t going to be the best mom or that my baby would hate me or that I would sleep through a feeding. I so wish I could say that I didn’t feel like I would feel like this forever.

But I did feel those things. Every single one. And a few others.

And that’s okay.

However, I was wrong to turn to Google and to the internet! There is so much false data about what is really happening during those first moments/hours/days as a new mom.

After you have a baby, your hormone levels significantly change. Your body has worked so hard growing and nurturing your little one, going through labour and delivery, and producing milk to feed your baby. Talk about a big job!  I felt such an overwhelming sense of pride, not only for myself and my husband (we had created an amazing little baby!) but also for the hardwork my body did. I felt overwhelmed with responsibility and had a small loss on what was once my baby bump. I felt overwhelmingly in love with my son and my husband! Everything felt very all-encompassing and truthfully, that freaked me out.

I suppressed my overwhelm, my desire to cry it out and the feelings that I would be stuck in this overwhelming feeling forever. So silly of me!

Luckily I married the most amazing man in the history of ever and our communication has always been incredibly strong. We talked about my feelings, my overwhelm, my loss of my baby bump and the loss of control that I was experiencing. I had a wonderful support system of my family and my besties. In that week, I cried more than I had in years (minus the tears I shed while hungry and pregnant, haha!), I laughed harder than I ever had, and I loved more fiercely than I ever imagined.

With that being said, I want to acknowledge that these feelings happen. And they are not wrong. However, there are ”handlings” online that are unhelpful and that actually perpetuate these feelings. I know I have some readers who are expecting their little bundles soon, readers who are first-time mamas, and readers who have had many babies. I wanted to share how I handled these feelings and got myself back to a point where I felt like myself again (woo!) and how easy it is to be back in control.

1. Cut yourself some slack. You just had a baby! Well done mama! Celebrate that win!

2. Acknowledge that you may be feeling unlike yourself + you may feel a little lost. That’s ok! Awareness is half the battle.

3. Eat! Eat! Eat! I lost my appetite after George was born but I had my husband getting me food and sitting and watching me/forcing me to eat, even when I didn’t want to. You just did one of the most incredible things on the planet; fuel your body! Ensuring you are eating is incredibly important, not only for your sanity, but for your milk production and your little bambino. Stay away from sugar and caffeine, eat high protein meals/snacks, lots of veggies and fruit (I ate a lot of spinach and watermelon when I came home!), and drink a ton of water! Water is a miracle worker, I am telling you.

4. Vitamins. Continue taking your prenatal vitamins! I find extra vitamin b to be helpful, omega 3s, and folic acid are super great too (please talk to your doctor first before you take any additional vitamins, just in case). Oh, and a little calcium magnesium helps to chill me out too!

5. Get some sleep. I know that sounds like a crazy tall order with a newborn but there is a reason people say ”sleep when the baby sleeps”; you need your rest! Being a zombie mommy is not helpful to anyone. I had a hard time staying asleep when we brought GBB home because I was worried I would miss a feeding or forget to change his diaper or I needed to watch him breathe. Try your mama hardest to get some naps in when you can. Trust me, the dishes and laundry can wait.

6. Get outside! If you’re able to go outside, go for a walk as soon as you can. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air, looking around at the trees, buildings, puppies, etc will help give you space. This really helps. If you are unable to walk due to recovery, sit by a window and look out.

7. Surround yourself with people that make you happy. There is no room for assholes in a new mama’s (or anyone’s) life. Communicate to your friends and family if you’re feeling unlike yourself. Communication is the universal solvent for anything and everything.

8. Create a super calm and comfy space where you can relax and enjoy your baby. I lived (and still do, most days) in my bed. I have air conditioning, books, snacks, comfy blankets, and my pump all within arms reach. Make your space, whether it is your bedroom or baby’s nursery or the living room, calm and comfortable. Oh, and make sure that you have the ability to watch an unnecessary but incredible amount of really, really, really good Netflix. I binge watched Friday Night Lights for the second time and definitely have a few more television shows queued up and ready to go (I’m looking at you Scandal!).

I really hope this post has been helpful to all the mamas + that these simple workable actions help you enjoy mamahood and your sweet baby more. If you have any questions or if I can assist in any way, feel free to write in the comment section below!

Oh, and mamas? You’re incredible and your babies love you so much. You’re doing a fantastic job!!

XO