Postpartum depression?

[Destynee2015]

How long does it usually take to set in? Has anyone gone through this? I had my baby 5 days ago and not feeling myself. I know crying is normal occasionally but I cry a lot for no reason especially when my husband calls me from work on his lunch, I just cry for no reason idk why. Is this normal or should I be concerned? TIA

[Danielleberger1]

I'm glad your feeling better today! :) and even ask your hubby after he gets home from work if you can take an hour nap and he takes care of the kids sometimes. And if you ever need more positive thoughts and vibes your way, let me know! I am happy to help anytime.

[Destynee2015]

Yeah, I try to nap when all of the kids are down which helps. I feel a little better today so well see how things go. Im trying my hardest. Thanks for the positivity, I really need to hear more of it right now. :)

[Danielleberger1]

Try keeping the house really bright with natural light, that way she learns day and night time. And take some naps during the day when all your kids are sleeping. If it makes you feel better, my mom didn't breastfeed my 2 older sisters because she was nervous to, then me and my 2 other sisters my mom breastfed and she ended up being successful with it. Just keep a strong mindset. And do a lot of reading on breastfeeding. That's what has helped me stay focus on my goal of breastfeeding. :) you can do it though! I know you can. :)

[Destynee2015]

Right now she sleeps long hours during the day. Like 5 hour stretches. Then shes up from like 9 p.m-2 a.m just eating nonstop until she doses off at 230 on the breast and sleeps til 6:30 a.m. Its that 9-2 that really exhausts me.

[Destynee2015]

Thats a good point and its my biggest fear, that ill miss that skin to skin contact. I think im just feeling defeated because I wasnt successful with my first two breastfeeding. I usually quit around this time but im determined to stick this out.

[Danielleberger1]

I tried to just pump and feed my daughter for a day, and I really missed the skin to skin time during feedings, it almost broke my heart to even try to only pump. It might be better for you, but that's how I felt. And the nighttime feedings seem to be the hardest for me too. But my daughter is already now at the point of sleeping for 6-7 hours between her 9 pm feeding to 2 or 3 in the morning feedings, so I go to bed around 1030 or so and I sleep for a few hours. So that's been nice. Cluster feed her before bed, try to feed her every hour for 3 or 4 hours before bed, and that helps them sleep better.

[Carlamorales1992]

Don't worry you'll be fine. I had mine 2 weeks ago and I cried my first week for no reason. You'll be fine

[Destynee2015]

I definitely will do that. :) I think its mainly the nightime feedings that are overwhelming me. I cannot wait until she starts sleeping more. Im considering exclusively pumping but not sure if that will make things harder for me.

[Danielleberger1]

Your welcome! I hope it gets easier for you soon too. If it ever gets bad, message me on here. I am always willing to listen and try to help you as much as I can. I'm alone most days too and somehow have adapted very well to taking care of my baby girl all on my own. I just have her though. But all I do all day every day is take care of my girl, her father isn't there to help so I learned very quick to talk about anything I feel to anyone around me or whoever will listen because I didn't want to feel overwhelmed. I only had the baby blues really for 3 days and then I bounced back to normal. And then this week has been even better for my mood because I have really gotten breastfeeding and I feel really good about myself because of that so I'm doing even better now too.

[Destynee2015]

Oh I see. I just dont have many friends or family to talk to so its hard especially having 2 other kids to care for. My husband works a lot too so it doesnt make it any easier. Ill take it day by day. I just hate feeling so down everyday. Thank you for the advice

[Danielleberger1]

It's not until your a month postpartum you can be diagnosed. Nothing to worry about until your a month out. Just talk to friends and family about how you feel and ask for help when you need a little bit of time to yourself. Just keep talking and let yourself cry if you need it. It's an emotional time having a baby, don't let yourself think it's odd to feel an emotion, let yourself feel all your emotions. If you start having thought of hurting yourself or others, that's the bad emotions to feel and ask for help right away.