Postpartum stress or baby blues is the sadness that a mother faces after the delivery. It’s a common thing experienced by every mother and it doesn’t need medical treatment unless it becomes severe and lasts long.
Welcoming your little one brings along lots of surprises and challenges. Every new mother who has just stepped into the motherhood journey will go through the postpartum stress. A simple meaning of postpartum is “the phase of mood swings after the baby’s birth” or its after-delivery stress that can last up to 2 weeks or until your body comes back to a pre-pregnancy state. Now being a mother of 2 yrs old I am sharing my experience of going through the postpartum phase. The birth of a baby triggers a sudden feeling of excitement along with a puzzled mind about stepping into motherhood. A body goes through various changes during pregnancy time until the baby’s birth. Changes I refer to are- mood swings, crying spells (crying about every small thing), sleep disorders, body aches and many other emotional and physical changes. You can also say it is a learning phase for new parents. A mother’s world functions around the baby with whole new challenges lined up to face.
Becoming a parent is a joyous thing that is truly incomparable. However, for new mothers, this phase is all about adjusting to their everyday routine. Because a baby needs a lot of care and attention that leads to sleepless nights for new mothers. It is frustrating and tiresome but eventually, new parents become habitual of it. Although it’s important to take care of your baby, simultaneously a mother has to take care of herself as well. Postpartum stress or baby blues is the sadness that a mother faces after the delivery. It’s a common thing experienced by every mother and it doesn’t need medical treatment unless it becomes severe and lasts long. If you have a question in mind as to how to get to know whether you have baby blues symptoms? Here are 9 common signs of postpartum stress:
- Having trouble eating habits
- Sleeping disorder
- Excessive worry
- Lack of concentration
- Irritability
- Sadness and hopeless
- Losing interest
- Want to be alone all the time
- Feel cranky and anxious
Becoming a parent is not an easy task. Your little one needs your timely care and attention, however, do keep a check on your health as well.
This phase can be overcome by taking small steps toward your health. I am sharing with you 6 secrets to manage postpartum stress or baby blues:
1. Meditation:
An Invaluable gift passed down to generations. It’s a healthier way to stay fit and happy. Initially start your routine with 10 to 15 minutes of meditation once the routine is set try introducing other exercises as well. You can also opt for walking or yoga. I have introduced meditation to my daily routine during the 6th month of pregnancy and continuing. It’s a proven stress-buster in every way.
2. Keep a check on your eating habits:
Becoming a parent is not an easy task. Your little one needs your timely care and attention, however, do keep a check on your health as well. Choose your food wisely with the right amount of nutrients. Some of the must-included foods in your diet have to be fruits, green vegetables, cereals, eggs etc. Your eating habits directly affect your baby, especially for breastfeeding moms.
3. Inculcate a hobby:
Introducing a hobby has always been a stress reliever. Be it reading, painting or anything that makes you feel enjoyable. Take out some time from your busy routine to flourish your passion.
4. Do not compromise your sleep time:
Do keep a check on your rest time. A new mother requires at least 9 hours of sleep to restore her energy and cope with the postpartum stress. Although your baby will take time to adjust to the daily routine and for the first few months, you will face sleepless nights. Here is when you can take the help of your partner. Parenthood is a shared duty and balancing the situation together will certainly help new mothers to recover quickly.
5. Look up to experienced mothers:
It is true that parenthood is a 24X7 job, however taking some time out and interacting with other moms can do wonders for your health. Sharing your fears and taking their experiences can be a game-changer to your health.
6. Ask for support:
Taking care of a baby is not at all one person’s job. Look up to your family, friends and relatives to ask for support in doing some household work or in handling the baby’s daily activities. Having a positive social circle around you can help you in coping with life difficulties. Follow these 6 simple tips to overcome the problem. Postpartum stress is normal and common among new moms. With proper care, support and engaging yourself in a positive environment postpartum stress and anxiety can be treated within time.
Composed by: “Riccha Arora is a homemaker and a mother of two year old. She has had a passion for writing from a very tender age and also writes in blogs on parenthood & travel.”
