How to Handle Postpartum Baby Blues
Baby Blues is more common than you think, you can go from happy, sad, overwhelmed, angry, frustrated to dejected all in a matter of minutes. Women go through so much over the nine months of pregnancy that its not just physically but also mentally and emotionally draining.
All the changes in your body, physical exertion, fluctuating hormones postpartum make you feel all kinds of emotions. The good part is postpartum baby blues duration is usually a few days to sometimes weeks before you feel better but eventually you should. While its is really tough on you, you don't have to go through all this alone, there is a lot you can do. Read on to know more about how to deal with baby blues.
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Get all the help you can:
Many new mothers hesitate to ask for help, while you may feel okay to do things by yourself it is a good idea to take help from family and friends immediately postpartum so you get the time you need to heal and recoup with all the physical and emotional changes some time out to just relax would be all you need.
Get your partner or friends to run errands for your - doing groceries, picking things for you or taking care of household chores for a few weeks. If family or friends can't pitch in try to pay someone to come cook for you, do things for you or watch your baby while you get some much needed sleep or take a long relaxing shower, even if you feel its an added expense it would really give you the time to heal and relax which helps kick the blues faster.
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Eat the right foods:
Get your in laws, parents, friendly neighbours or partner to make nutritious home cooked meals for you, it not just uplifts your mood and makes you feel better but also aids in healing by providing all the essential vitamins, minerals and calories your body needs to recover. Since you maybe breastfeeding it is essential that you eat right and drink lots of fluids to ensure good breastmilk supply and also your body is getting replenished after each feed.
Good nutrition postpartum if you ask me is a non-negotiable and should be a priority for all new moms as it impacts not just your physical but also mental well being and helps in coping with baby blues. None of us can think straight or feel great when we run low on energy. It's not just about feeding yourself or getting the job done. What you eat postpartum plays an important role in how fast you bounce back and how you look and feel in months to come. So don't compromise over good nutrition it is as important as when you were pregnant.
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Mental Health:
Talk to loved ones, other new mothers or join support groups so you know you are not alone and don't have to go through this alone. While it is so much for your body to process and get accustomed to right after delivery, it gets better over time.
Whenever you feel low, sad or dejected don't ignore but talk to someone and get the help you need as it could be baby blues symptoms that you are experiencing. Over the weeks when hormone levels come back to normal, the mood will improve too but meanwhile take your time, don't be hard on yourself you just birthed a baby and its no joke.
If you continue to experience these emotions beyond a month or it starts getting worse, to a point where you don't feel like doing anything or staying in bed all day, isolating yourself and having mixed emotions about parenting, please get immediate help, see a doctor or a therapist as these could be early signs of postpartum depression and may need professional assessment, counselling and medical help. Don't ignore if it lasts over a month or two post partum.
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Physical Health:
Take care of your body postpartum. Whenever you start feeling a little better, could be day or a couple of weeks postpartum do start indulging in moderate exercises like long walks or yoga or things you used to enjoy before or during pregnancy to help your body recoup and feel good.
Keep in mind that since you just delivered your body needs time to get back to shape and to pre pregnancy levels of energy. The uterus will shrink over next 5-6 weeks and its best to avoid anything very strenuous or exerting at this stage but getting some form of mild to moderate activity is a great idea. Talk to your doctor on what all you can do.
Getting regular massages is also something to consider as its great for blood circulation and helps skin snap back to pre pregnancy shape. Besides, who doesn't love a nice relaxing massage especially after all that the body has been through.
Finally don't forget how strong and brave you are to birth a whole new human being, love yourself and your body it just did something amazing. Give it some time and you should feel normal again.