‘My little one is the best thing in the world, but everyone else around me seems to be stressing me out and I'm snapping at my loved ones.’
If you can relate to the above statement, you’re not alone. You’re not going mad either. Taking things out on your partner or loved ones trying to help out since you had the baby is a classic symptom of post-natal illnesses.
At a glance
- Not feeling quite like yourself is common
- Ask for help - you don't have to do it all yourself
- Keep calm - most things are fixable
Whether it’s ‘baby blues’ or post-natal depression, it’s horrible when you’re not feeling quite like yourself.
As well as speaking to your GP there are a few things you can do to help yourself too…
Chillout
No-one expects you to be superwoman when you’ve only just had a baby. If people offer to help then take them up on it. If you don’t want to leave your little one, take some time out upstairs while granny, granddad, aunts and uncles entertain your little one downstairs. Have a bath, paint your nails or just read a book.
Keep calm and carry on
Does your little one decide to do poo explosion just before you’re about to go out – and running late anyway? Does your other half never do up your little one’s babygrow? Relax it’s all fixable. Keep calm and carry on, it’ll all work out. Try and go easy on your other half, after-all, he’s also still learning.
Involve your family
Both your partner and parents need to get information and advice about the illness to increase understanding of it.
Ask for patience
Ask those around you to be patient while you get well. The more support you have the quicker you'll start feeling like yourself again.