[brewgrl]

This is a really important article for all those new mommies-to-be out there. I had some postpartum depression. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't. I was tired, I felt incapable, I was counting the days of going back to work...
I read this article, and I believe 100% of everything they say- DEFINITELY read it Mommies!!!!

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Postpartum: Mommy Feel-Good Tips
Sandy and Marcie Jones, authors of Great Expectations:Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth.

New motherhood isn't always as glamorous as it looks in baby commercials. Sleep deprivation, isolation, lack of sunlight and/or not having enough help around the house can pose real threats to your mental health.

So what can new moms do to feel good?

Get helping hands
At any normal time, the constant presence of your mother, mother-in-law or other relative might try your nerves. But as a new mom, you really do need all of the help you can get from anyone who offers. Put visitors to work folding laundry, fixing sandwiches or taking baby on a long walk while you nap.

Prioritize sleep
Sleeping when the baby sleeps may not be enough, because most babies younger than six months old only sleep a few hours at a stretch and have a way of waking up just as you settle down. Try to plan some serious catch-up sleeping when you have someone to tend to the baby and have them bring her to you for nursing.

Get plenty of iron, calcium and other minerals
You can take mineral supplements, but it's best to try to get your minerals from your food rather than relying only on a vitamin pill, because your body can better absorb them that way. Blackstrap molasses mixed in skim milk is a good iron and calcium booster. Clams, beans and leafy greens are also good sources of calcium and iron (and fiber).

Drink
Breastfeeding is very dehydrating, and dehydration can cause headaches and mood swings. Get yourself a giant cup with a lid and keep it full of water, skim milk or any other low-sugar beverage. Alcohol is a depressant and also diminishes your milk supply, so avoid it if you are at risk for postpartum depression.

Walk (or do yoga or swim) for at least 45 minutes a day
As soon as your care provider gives you the okay to resume activity, a little bit of consistent, low- to medium-impact exercise can lift your mood and help all of your muscles to tone back up after being stretched by pregnancy. Don't expect to lose any extra baby weight by exercise alone. Eventually, you'll need to cut your calories, but you shouldn't attempt that until after you wean.

Give yourself a pep talk
With a baby crying for you, it's easy to start a mental habit of negative thoughts and feelings, like, "I'm not good at this!" "I can't do this!" Of course, you can't be upbeat every minute of the day, but entertaining a lot of negative thoughts can put you more at risk for postpartum depression. Try to get into the habit of thinking good thoughts about yourself and your job: "my baby's lucky to have me for a mother, she's well-taken care of. I can and am doing this!"

If you really can't do it—the baby's crying and won't stop and you find yourself losing control, put the baby down safely in her crib or car seat, step outside, take a deep breath and then call for help. Your pediatrician, general practitioner or the care provider who delivered your baby can offer help, even if it's the middle of the night.

Take all of your maternity leave
New moms need time—more than just the famous "six weeks" that uncomplicated deliveries require, and with a c-section, full recovery may take even longer. Not all employees are eligible for 12 weeks of leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, but that doesn't mean that they don't need just as much time to physically recover and mentally adjust to motherhood. Plan ahead to take plenty of time off after the baby's born.

Take care of yourself
You can't dive in to save someone if you can't swim. Putting all of your energy into caring for a dependent day and night is one of the highest-pressure situations a woman can face. The big idea is to take care of yourself, and to let others help you, too.

Source

[AngelaGM]

That is a very helpful article! Thanks for posting!

[Adrienne]

Thanks for posting!

[nanzmck]

Thank you for posting, this is all so true!
I had postpartum with my first baby because it was all so overwhelming. I felt like I never got to sleep, I never got any help, and I never got to even speak to an adult! It wasn't like this of course, but I sure felt alone.
Thankfully there is so much information out there to help.
This is a must read for new moms and mommies to be!

[MakeupByMonet]

Prioritize sleep
Sleeping when the baby sleeps may not be enough, because most younger than six months old only sleep a few hours at a stretch and have a way of waking up just as you settle down. Try to plan some serious catch-up sleeping when you have someone to tend to the baby and have them bring her to you for nursing

I used to sleep when my baby slept it helped alot, BUT..............I recently had my 2nd baby & sleeping when baby sleeps was so not even an option AT ALL because my daughter is not even two yet & everytime she was a wake my newborn son was asleep & vice versa so I could get no sleep since I always had to keep an eye on one!! uuuugghhh so hard I used to joke That I was gona end up in the Crazy house haha lol........SO NOT FUNNY cuz in reality I felt I was gona end up there!!!! now I have more help & my newborn is now 3 months and sleep more & I thank God I dont have cry babies other wise Oh Man I'd be on some kind of meds lol but things are better now 1st few months are always hard!!!

[brewgrl]

I always think the most important thing in the world during the first 3 months is HELP... if you are pregnant and you don't have any close girlfriends- this is the time to join a Mommy's Club... seriously- women who understand, and in return you just have to pay it forward when you able to.
I had a friend who moved to the middle of nowhere and joining a Mommy's Club was her salvation. Her biggest tip was to join while your pregnant.

[beaglette]

They left out one of the most important things: GOOD MEDS! lol

I get HORRIBLE post-partum depression and take anti-depressants. I could not function without them. After my first bio-baby, I finally figured out what was going on. Before I got medicated then, I nearly had panic attacks thinking about leaving the house. I made my then-husband go sleep on the couch with the baby because I couldn't have them in my bed while I slept-- I felt incredibly anxious and felt like I was going to die if they went to bed with me.

Never underestimate the power of Zoloft :-)

Warmly,

Brandi

[cheller]

very insightful & informative.

[pure25honey]

Thanks for the article. I definitely feel trapped being at home with the baby and I actually want to go back to work.