Anxiety

[erinw]

I have a 6 day old baby. I'm experiencing some anxiety but I normally have some anxiety even before giving birth. I have two older children and had the blues/anxiety after their births and in comparison it is much less present this time, but I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on getting through the moments where it hits me, without medication. The things I worry about are just silly. He's six days old and I'm worried about figuring out his schedule, I'm worried he'll become colicky, I'm worried about going back to work and having my husband put all three kids to bed by himself. I don't worry about these things all day but it hits me about once every evening and my thoughts just race....anyone else feel this way?

[Amy_G_]

when I'm feeling anxious about things and my mind is just so full, I write lists before bed. things to do tomorrow and the next day and next week, what to buy at the store, and what things I need to make sure my husband knows how to do to put the kids to bed if I'm not there etc.

later in the evening, especially while lying awake in bed, if I find my mind racing, I focus on the fact that I've made a plan and it's written down and I don't have to worry about it.

and if that doesn't work then I focus on what I'm going to do first thing tomorrow, in minute details-- I'm going to wake up to the alarm going off, and roll over and hit the snooze button 2 times, then I'm going to rub my eyes, and stretch and sit up in bed and drink a sip of water. then I'll swing my legs over the edge of the bed and put on my slippers and my bathrobe and walk to the bathroom to go pee.
if my mind wanders from that appointed list, I have to go back and start all over again. I usually bore myself to sleep after a time or two of trying, my mind gives up on racing.

some people that might make them more anxious, so you might need to do some yoga or relaxation tapes,
or watch a non-mommy/non-emotional movie (don't watch a disney movie like Bambi where the mom dies!)
or maybe read a book about something that is worrying you--like a self help bood about how to deal with anxiety or going back to work.

[erinw]

Thank you for the ideas. I am finding a lot of my anxiety is focused on returning to work and breastfeeding. I work 12 hr nights and I think I will have time to pump every 3-4 hours but I'm worried I won't be able to keep enough milk stored for my husband. Or that baby wont be satisfied without my breast at night. I've nursed my older children but I didn't work this schedule then, and we supplemented a little bit so he usually gave them formula when I wasn't there. I have a goal of breastfeeding 6 months, and I hope if I make it that long that I will be inspired to go the next 6 months. The longest I made it before was 5 months, because I had supply issues when I returned to work that I never got back on track. I'm a little overwhelmed worrying about this. Do exclusively breastfed babies still wake every 2-3 hours at 6 weeks old?

[Samantha234]

Do exclusively breastfed babies still wake every 2-3 hours at 6 weeks old?


Mine did until he got past his 3 month growth spurt. Now he'll sleep about 5-7 hour stretches at night and has a longer first morning nursing session. As for working and nursing, my son is 8 months old and I've been back to work since he was 6 weeks old. We've never supplemented with formula because the way I think about it, any bottle of formula we use is one less nursing session/bottle of expressed milk that we'll be able to give him because it can/will affect my supply.

Check into wether you meet the qualifications for FMLA because there's an addition to the FMLA law that allows nursing mothers the right to pump at work every 2 hours. If you want to be successful at nursing and working then it takes time and determination. I tried pumping every 3 hours but I knew right away that it was going to affect my supply because the pump doesn't empty me as effectively as my son. I have to pump every 2 hours anyway so I don't get that full feeling. Also, try pumping about 2 weeks before returning to work to get your supply up and maybe even get a good store of frozen milk going just incase. If you do then nurse your baby then pump about 15 minutes after he's done.

[jiksaw213]

I agree with Samantha, just take it easy, and you will find it better.