Many babies are born in the world every year, with countries like Niger, Angola, Benin, Mali, and Uganda, having the highest rates. According to Our World in Data, some 134 million babies were born in 2023. Giving birth to these babies is a transformative experience for mothers. It is like an adventure filled with joy, love, and new challenges.
However, amid the excitement, many new mothers find themselves experiencing unexpected emotional turbulence. Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or unusually tearful can be common during this time. However, it’s essential to recognize that prioritizing your emotional well-being is as important as caring for your newborn.
Start by Understanding Postpartum Emotions
Many people consider childbirth to be only a physical event, but that’s not the case. Childbirth is also a significant emotional milestone, thanks to the hormonal changes. Fatigue, increased sensitivity, and mood swings might result from these hormonal changes. Often called the “baby blues,” these emotions are usually fleeting.
However, if these emotions persist or intensify, they may signal postpartum depression or anxiety. This can lead to stress and postpartum depression, which affects around 10% of women. Recognizing and acknowledging these feelings is the first step toward reclaiming balance.
What’s challenging is that some 50% of mothers are not even diagnosed with the condition. Moreover, postpartum depression is very unique compared to other forms of depression or stress like PTSD. This is because having a child is something that is considered to be positive socially and culturally. Therefore, many consider it to be just a stressful event rather than a trauma.
How can I tell the difference between postpartum depression and baby blues?
Postpartum depression lasts longer and might involve extreme sorrow, withdrawal, or trouble bonding with your kid. However, baby blues are normal and often go away in two weeks. You can differentiate between the two by monitoring how long the symptoms stay and whether they go away independently.
Allowing Time for Adjustment
Newborn babies require a lot of round-the-clock, hands-on time. Therefore, caring for them and adjusting to this new routine can disrupt your sense of equilibrium. It is important that you don’t rush into things and put yourself under pressure. Instead, you should give yourself time, get your partner involved, get proper sleep, etc.
Don’t compare your trip to other people’s. Each experience is unique, and self-compassion plays a significant role in finding emotional balance.
Taking Care of Your Baby
Parents.com has listed numerous tips that can help you take care of your baby, especially for the initial month. Some of these tips include:
- Get lactation support
- Try a warm compress
- Mimic the womb
- Use hospital resources
- Divvy up duties
It is important to take appropriate care of your baby to ensure their health does not deteriorate. Their health is directly associated with their mental state. If their health is not good, you will feel more stressed about it. This will eventually impact your mental condition, resulting in stress, anxiety, or depression.
Vaccinations and breastfeeding are the most crucial things. Since baby meals might be hazardous to a newborn, you should nurse them for at least a few months. Consider the example of Similac, which can cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in some sensitive babies. As stated by TorHoerman Law, Similac’s cow-milk-based formulas have been scientifically linked to NEC development.
NEC is a fatal condition that infects the baby’s intestine. If you don’t breastfeed your newborn and use baby food instead, it increases their chances of developing such conditions. This can further impact your mental health due to the financial and emotional strain that comes along. You do have the option to file a Similac lawsuit against the manufacturer to get fair compensation.
After giving delivery, how long does it usually take to emotionally recover?
Within six to twelve weeks, many women report feeling better balanced, though emotional adjustment varies. If you continue to struggle after this point, think about getting help. This can mean getting help from family members to give yourself some time to rest. It can also mean getting professional help if the imbalance impacts your physical or mental health.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Modern societal pressures often create an unrealistic picture of motherhood. The expectation to “do it all” can exacerbate stress and feelings of inadequacy. This pressure is significantly more on mothers than on fathers, as they are considered to be the primary caregivers.
According to a Springer Nature study, these pressures can impact parents even after their child has grown old. For example, the pressure can cause parents to potentially become overly involved in their children’s lives. This can impact their relationship and lead to mental stress.
It’s important to neglect this societal pressure, set realistic goals for yourself, and celebrate small victories. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help or to let go of non-essential tasks during this time. Focusing on what truly matters—your well-being and your baby—will help you stay grounded.
How can I manage unsolicited advice from others about motherhood?
Politely thank them for their input, but trust your instincts and consult professionals for guidance. You will get a lot of advice from different people, but ultimately, you will know what’s best for you and your baby.
Recognizing When to Seek Help
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the emotional challenges of postpartum life may feel insurmountable. If you experience persistent sadness, anxiety, or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, it is time to seek professional support. Therapists, counselors, and medical professionals can provide guidance, coping strategies, and, if necessary, treatment to help you feel like yourself again.
You may also want to seek help to take care of your child if they are born with any congenital conditions. Data shows that 1 in every 33 infants born in the US have congenital anomalies. They may even have mental, but these conditions can show different signs than yours. Some of the mental health disorders in children may include:
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Depression
Many factors, like family income, health, household environment, marital status, etc., can impact both your and your child’s mental health. If any physical or mental health symptom persists, it is time to seek professional help.
Regaining emotional equilibrium is a journey rather than a final goal. It’s a path that calls for self-compassion, patience, and the courage to seek help when necessary. You can handle this new chapter with grace and resilience if you know how you feel and have a solid support system. One of the most caring things you can do for yourself and your child is to take care of your mental well-being.