Baby Blues - Elkridge,MD

I had a similar experience with my daughter. I was very obsessive and out of control. I think that breastfeeding has a lot to do with it. I had a hard time with that and it wore me slap out. I did keep it up for 5 months, but did so with support from a wonderful lactation consultant and my husband. I now have a 4 yr. old, 16 month, and one on the way (which I am on bedrest in hospital,ugh), but I have to just have to take one day at a time. Reach out to anyone who is willing to help and don't give up! You can do it! This too shall pass.

Vitamin D will help

It won't be as difficult as you think when your husband goes back to work-it may actually be easier than you think-you'll get into your own routine-and devise your own survival tricks. When my second grandchild was born-my daughter asked me to stay...and sty..so I did. Later, she said I probably should have left a week earlier! Get some help if you have friends or neighbors-and learn to say yes when someone offers to help and no when you're called upon!

I had a massive depression happen after baby #2 (I have 4). It took an entire year to get out of it. It is super hard but I just stuck it out, it does go away. Just be aware that if you feel anything more than just crying, depression, and it moves more to bad thoughts like hurting yourself or your kids then you need to clarify that to a medical professional and your husband so you can get on something.

Good luck!

I felt a bit overwhelmed with my first, a preemie, when my husband left that first day I was alone. You'll adjust quickly to it and it's how you look at it. See it as fun and a time to get to slowly know your baby while still enjoying the 2 year old. You need to nap when the baby does and either put the 2 year old in their room to play or rest on the sofa while the 2 year old plays, whatever you can manage. It won't last long and the baby should be sleeping longer at night. They do pick up on your feelings, stress, anxiety, etc. so you need to be as calm and happy as you can be I never took anything and wouldn't while breast feeding even if I would take anything, and I wouldn't. That's my opinion. I would not worry about something before it happens and the baby may be much better than you thought when your husband goes back to work. The 2 year old may play well and help you even. My 2 year old used to bring me diapers and helped out so much when her sister was born. My first 2 were a year apart so no help there and in fact more work but they, too, were fine and they adjust very well to a baby and can play and let you rest some. When your husband gets home he can help with the 2 year old and maybe you can rest some then in the evening. You will make it and just give yourself time.

Since it's winter-time and dark out, this may be affecting your moods. Try the Nature-Bright SunTouch Plus lamp for 30 min. every morning (maybe while you're nursing?) Just face baby away from it or cover her with a blanket. I've noticed a big increase in my anxiety every Nov-Feb, and now being 8+ months pregnant with the fun mood swings it was getting really tough. I got this lamp for my desk at work about a month ago and after only 3 days I noticed a HUGE difference. The box actually says "good for pregnancy mood swings." It's the highest-rated "Seasonal Affective Disorder" lamp on Amazon.com and is $80. It's made a huge difference in my mood and really reduced my anxiety!
Hope you feel better soon!
L.

I would call this number: (888) 788-DONA (3662)
It is DONA international (DONA=Doulas of North America). When you call ask them if there are any Doulas in training in your area. You can get a not-yet-certified post-partum doula to visit you for free. Of course, if you have the money and desire you can just ask them for a referral for a certified post-partum doula. I really think it will help.
Don't be afraid to ask people for help. It doesn't make you weak or incapable. You need and deserve adequate time to rest and recover, especially since you are breastfeeding, and 2 weeks is not long enough. Your body is consuming calories faster than you can consume them, your hormone levels are fluctuating and you're sleep deprived. Hubby (or at least someone else besides you) should be doing all the grocery shopping, meal planning, chores and childcare if you are only 2 weeks out. Aim to do only the following: Breastfeed, Eat, Sleep. Rinse, lather, repeat. If you find that you are being pulled away from those 3 things then it's time for someone to step in (hubby, doula, family member) and do those other things while you focus solely on feeding, eating and sleeping. You are not selfish for limiting yourself to those three activities. I hope your mood improves over the next few weeks. Best of luck.

Hello. I haven't read through your responses, so forgive me if this is duplicate. I did not go through the baby blues, but I have had depression bouts at times. Recent one was due to moving. A simple thing that helped get me going was getting outside. Go for a stroll. Breathe in fresh air. GET OUTSIDE. Don't keep yourself inside. If it's cold, stroll at a mall. Just get yourself dressed and out the door. Tell your hubby you need me time. Yes, you're nursing but you can get out for a coffee in 30-60 mins. I would run while nursing to get my thoughts and anxieties out. You need that. Recognize you need time for you!! Obviously if you need more, reach out to other Moms, family, etc. You're not alone.

Hi, I am answering a little late, but just kept thinking about you.
Don't panic -- you can do it! My 2-year-old refused to wear a diaper or clothes for a week when I had a tiny infant at my breast, and there were times I was breast-feeding with one arm and picking up a peeing toddler with the other... but it DOES get better! Here are some things I did to help me through the tough times:
Get outside and exercise! Strollers are for mommies, not babies! A double stroller is awesome. Alone time is even better.
Write down POSITIVE things about your life every day. I did this on a blog, but a journal works too. Studies show that this REALLY helps.
Sing to your 2-year old every day, a lot! Singing releases a kind of endorphin that makes us feel great! I also found that it helped me to sing about why I felt frustrated, "Mommy just can't figure out how to make dinner tonight when you both need so much of my attention... oh I just can't figure out what to dooooooo........" Not only did this calm me down, but this actually had the really cool effect of teaching my kids to sing when they were frustrated -- much better than hitting!
Don't worry about the sleep. It's OK to have drowsy reading time as a family in the middle of the day.