The first few weeks with a newborn can drive any person crazy. The lack of sleep alone makes you cranky, but add raging hormones to the mix, and most mommies will experience the Baby Blues.
For me, the second time around has been more like the Baby Boohoos. I have found myself crying over everything from my babies’ first smiles to the frustration of having to nurse every two hours. The tears appear out of nowhere and create a sense of panic. Is this normal? Am I depressed? But then suddenly I get distracted and start to feel better.
As the weeks quickly pass, I am slowly starting to feel like myself again. The tears haven’t gone away completely, but I am starting to accept that all of my feelings, both good and bad, are normal. Here are a few tips that have helped me deal with my Baby Boohoos.
1. Get out of the house!
Feeling trapped in the house due to my twins’ feeding schedule was causing me major frustration. Now that they can go at least three hours between feedings, I can leave the house (both with the babies and without). I have started taking my older son to gym class and the library. I have even attempted to take all three kiddos to an outdoor story time at the Westport Library.
2. Go on a date!
Whether it be a date with your husband, best girlfriends, or new moms you have met (mom date). It is important to take a break from your children. I recently went to the Westport Country Playhouse to see a script in hand of “Any Wednesday.” It felt so good to be entertained by something other than kid’s songs.
3. Join a moms group!
As you have probably read from many FCM contributors, meeting up with other moms with children of a similar age reminds you that you are not alone. I love sharing my concerns about how fussy my babies are or if they are pooping too much. The greatest benefit is forming new friendships and knowing that when I’m up at 12 a.m., 3 a.m., and a few times in between, they are too.
4. Take time for yourself!
Leave that last load of laundry for tomorrow and take at least a few minutes each day to sit down and relax. It feels so great when I can sit – even for 10 minutes- and catch up on my Bravo TV. I have also escaped to get a mani-pedi (which wasn’t as relaxing as I remembered). But now, when I look down at my nicely colored fingers and toes, I feel a little bit prettier.
5. Maintain your hobbies/interests!
I love hosting my monthly book club. It felt like a huge accomplishment to finish this month’s book (Me Before You – Jojo Moyes). Although it took me almost six weeks, I finished it and will host the book club at my house. Doing the things I love has helped me feel like myself again.
It hasn’t been an easy task to handle my Baby Blues, but with each day, I feel like I am closer to feeling like I have a sense of control back in my life. It’s almost like jumping into a cold pool – once you do it, you will feel so good. My twins are almost two months old, and I don’t know where the time has gone. In another two months, I will be back at work, probably bringing a whole new type of Baby Boohoos. With each new stage, once something gets easier, a whole new issue pops up. No matter what, hang on to who you are and what you love to do.
Michelle, such an honest account of a very common mommy issue. I appreciate your honesty and love the tips. When I had my daughter the whole shock of the newness was overwhelming and talking to other adults, my husband or friends, was such a huge help.
Thanks Liz!