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 Life with your baby

Life with your baby

Having a baby brings a lot of changes – both physical and emotional. During your pregnancy, your body changes, hormones fluxuate and you strive to find balance between the joys and responsibilities of caring for your developing baby. After the birth you have new changes to adapt to and the additional responsibility of caring for your baby’s needs. At times, this can be stressful.

Families and the people around you may be more likely to celebrate the birth and forget that you may find it hard to cope with all the sudden changes in your life. If you feel stressed – or even overwhelmed – you’re not alone. There is help available.

What’s “normal” for new moms?
In the first few days after birth, up to 80% of mothers feel distress. This is commonly called the baby blues. You may feel restless, irritable, tearful, tired, discouraged, sad or helpless. You may swing between a feeling of sadness and a sense of great happiness. Or you may suddenly feel full of energy and want to talk a lot. 

These mood changes can be due to many things, such as the quick drop of your hormone levels after birth and your pain and tiredness from labour.  The time pressures associated with caring for a newborn, as well as lack of sleep, could also affect mood. Most of the time the blues go away in 1 or 2 weeks.

A small number of women don’t feel better after 1 or 2 weeks. A mom's continued experience of not feeling better could be associated with a postpartum depression. Talk to your health practitioner or public health nurse if:

  • The baby blues do not go away within 2 weeks.
  • You feel unable to cope.
  • You are concerned about taking care of yourself or your baby.

You can also call the BC NurseLine, at 1-866-215-4700, to speak confidentially with a registered nurse. Someone’s there to answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or you can visit the Pacific Post Partum Society’s website for helpful information and advice.

 

Taking Care of Yourself

Remember to care for yourself, your baby and set reaonable priorities for managing your household. Each day, consider if you have:

  • Eaten at least three meals a day and also had healthy snacks in between?
  • Had some exercise, such as walking with my baby in a stroller?
  • Taken a short break or done something I enjoy? When your baby is asleep or your partner can take over, take a nap, read a book, take a bath, or sit in the garden – whatever helps you relax.
  • Talked with friends or family about my feelings?
  • Met with a support group of people who understand my feelings? Your  regional health authority can tell you about postpartum support groups.
  • Accessed available supports for baby care from my partner, friend or family?

You may also want to see the tip sheets Eating for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding and Exercise After Pregnancy.

 

Links:
Pacific Post Partum Society

British Columbia Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs

Baby’s Best Chance

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