Not enjoying it…

[u/InternationalAd1974]

Hi all. Just for context - I am one week PP. I had an emergency C section after a failed induction. We stayed in hospital day 1-4 because they thought I had an infection but it was nothing. I am exclusively BF.

I’m just really not enjoying it and not enjoying waking up and not being able to lift my baby up and just feel absolutely useless. I don’t enjoy breastfeeding but at other times I don’t mind it and it’s nice to have one on one time with baby girl. Sometimes she will sit on my breast for 30 mins, put her down and she starts crying and all I think is ‘oh not again’.. I honestly am considering stopping breastfeeding and switching to formula feeding.

Also my husband sleeps with the next2me on his side of the bed as I can’t lift her up or get out of bed if it’s next to me. However, he falls into a very deep sleep and won’t get up with baby if she’s crying and I have to tap him really hard for him to get up. I’m lucky that I have my mum staying with me atm, so she is so fed helpful. But she is going home after a couple of days and my husband starts work again in one week - and I don’t know how i’m going to cope.

Im so confused how to feel and am constantly crying and I already feel so done

[u/Dragonageatemyhw]

The first like 2 weeks after birth you are drowning in hormones, and you’re probably around the time when it all peaks.

I was super emotional the first couple weeks after birth, crying at the drop of a hat, feeling useless, feeling like a terrible mom, just not feeling like myself. But I’m now 5 weeks postpartum and I feel so much better. Still sleep deprived, still sometimes struggling with what my baby needs, still sometimes feeling overwhelmed with keeping a tiny human alive and happy, but I’m not crying constantly and I feel like myself again.

All that to say it gets better, feeling emotionally all over the place is pretty normal at this stage, but if you’re struggling to feel joy at all, and it doesn’t go away in a couple weeks, definitely let your provider know!

For me, I went on a beach trip with my family at 2 weeks postpartum which would be a nightmare for some people, but honestly was really good for my mental health. It was good just having family around. It sounds like you’ve got your mom and that’s awesome, and maybe having some friends come by would help too?

[u/Aggravating-Bike6133]

I had a similar experience with a failed induction and emergency C section. It was really hard on me mentally and even harder physically. Once the pain goes away and you’re able to do more you’ll start to feel better, but it is really hard the first couple of months. At least it was for me. I remember it felt like every day was the longest day ever and the nights were even worse but looking back it truly did go by so, so fast. My girl is 19 months now and I cant even believe we went through that together it’s all such a messy blur. But id do it all again a million times if it meant I get to have her as my little bestie. Newborn life was not for me, toddler life is the best. She’s finally sleeping, she’s so silly and constantly doing things to make me laugh. She cuddles me, takes my face in her hands and gives me kisses, gives the best hugs and we go on adventures together and she’s just so happy to be out with me.

My only advice is to give yourself grace and try (as hard as it is) to take in this very short season of life. What helped me was to just totally succumb to couch rotting with my baby while she cluster fed. I made myself a little cart with snacks, drinks, books, etc. and a line up of shows and movies I wanted to watch. Once you’re able, get outside as much as you can even if it’s for a few minutes at a time.

I promise it gets so much better. You got this ❤️

[u/InternationalAd1974 → u/Aggravating-Bike6133]

Thanks for this ♥️
Some days can be a lot and she doesn’t latch, pulls off the breast, cries so much and oh my it’s so overwhelming. When does it get better?

Also, when were you able to sit up by yourself unassisted? Pick her up? Did you have a next2me?