Having a baby can make you feel like an emotional train wreck, one minute your head over heels in love with little bundle of joy and the next your busting out in tears. It is normal to feel anxious, worried, overwhelmed, worried, sad, and exhausted, but if these feelings last more than just a week or two then you may have postpartum depression.
Here are 10 things that you can do to make yourself feel better:
Trust your instincts- If you have a feeling that something just isn’t right then it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts and let someone know how you are feeling immediately.
Let it out- Your hormones are in full force during your third trimester of pregnancy, and after the baby comes your body is trying to get those hormones back in line. It is actually good to cry because it is your body’s natural way of letting go of those hormones.
Breastfeed- Only if you can and want to. Women who want and can breastfeed are less likely to suffer from depression.
Get enough sleep- Sleep is vital when you’ve just had a baby. It may be hard, but try to have your partner, family or friends help out with the baby while you try to relax and catch some zzz’s.
Re-evaluate your time- Decide with your partner how you will divide your time between the baby, work, and all the other responsibilities you have.
Find other mommies- Join a local mom group, arrange a play date, or just get together with some friends to chat when your feeling down.
Eat healthy foods- Eat a balance diet with foods that will give you energy.
Exercise- It’s hard to want to do anything when your feeling down, but going for a walk with the baby or hitting the gym gives you a boost of endorphins that help ease depression.
Lean on your partner- Confide in your partner and let them know how you are feeling and what you need from them. Having them there for you can be a great source of support.
Get a massage- It will help you relax and ease your muscles. Some practitioners even give mommy and baby massages.
If you think you have postpartum depression, it’s best to talk to a professional who can help you adjust to having a new addition in your family.
Call us today for more information on how we can help you get through this tough time! (813)244-1251
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