4 Best Tips for Managing Anxiety as a New Mom
Is managing anxiety as a new mom difficult?
Managing anxiety as a new mom can seem out of reach. You might feel overwhelmed by everything going on. A first-time mom might find herself pulled and pushed in every direction. Managing anxiety as a new mom can be easy if you realize that other people go through it too.
Some Things I Had Anxiety About
SIDS
I swore that my baby was going to suffocate every time I put her down. Do some research or check out my other posts on how to manage this stress. This is a very uncommon event that takes place but is still very scary!
Sleeping Position
My baby would constantly roll to her side and the swaddle wouldn’t prevent her from staying on her back. I was told that having the baby stay on their back was the only way for them to be safe, but I learned that side laying is very common – just no belly sleeping!
My Sleep and Recovery
I thought I would never sleep again and I thought I was going to be uncomfortable down there forever. Although it took many months to feel a little better sitting down, I was able to. Sleep eventually got better. If you want a realistic view of a newborn’s sleep schedule check out my other post here. If you want tips on a faster vaginal recovery as a first-time mom, click here!
Husband Going Back to Work
I was deathly afraid of my husband going back to work. How would I sit or bend down to let my daughter do tummy time? What if the baby keeps crying or doesn’t sleep? What do I do? With time I was able to feel more comfortable in my new momma role.
Ask for Help
If you find yourself overwhelmed the very first person I would speak with is your partner. If you live with your parents, ask them. Reach out to close friends. Reach out to your provider. Just seek help. You do not have to navigate this time in parenthood alone.
Let’s be real, I would have daily breakdowns in the beginning. That lack of sleep will really put you on edge. I barely ate in the beginning and was constantly trying to breastfeed a baby with a terrible latch. I was in pain, I was waking up in night sweats and would put on the heater just to stop myself from shivering. We need to start being more open and honest about our experiences with other first-time moms.
Talk to Your Doctor to Manage
Let’s be realistic with this whole motherhood transition of our lives – it is REALLY stressful! Coming from someone who has generalized anxiety disorder, who used to be on medications, was able to become a pharmacist in the most stressful field (community pharmacy), this new mom thing is pretty rough. If you feel overwhelmed and you know that you could benefit from intervention, seek it out. It is not weak or ‘wrong’ to go to your provider and see if there are any medications or advice they can give you. At first, my provider offered to give me medications, knowing my prior history, and I said that I would think about it. I should have just taken the offer up right then and there because now that I’m back on my medication, I am feeling so much better and I am NOT ashamed to say that.
If you have a mental health disorder that you were on medications for prior to birth, ask your provider about continuing it – trust me, this will save you so many stressful breakdowns and all nighters. Medication might not be for everyone, but if you need it, even for the beginning stages of coping, do yourself a favor and jump on board. You can always discontinue the medication.
Forget About Chores
The house can wait, the baby can’t! You are raising a brand new little baby as a first-time mom. You’re learning the ins and outs that come with motherhood. You might be breastfeeding or learning how to transition the baby to formula. You might be sleep deprived along with your partner or you might be healing for an extensive time. Your baby might have colic or be a difficult sleeper which can add to that stress. Each and every mom has a unique experience with the type of stress they are dealing with at home. Chores can wait, the baby is the most important thing at the moment.
If you feel overwhelmed by the clutter – I know I do!!! – hire out if you are able. An every other week type of cleaning to make sure you keep up with the house might be beneficial. Enlist your partner, family, or friends. Do not be embarrassed if your house is a mess. People need to start realizing that the only reason moms used to be able to keep EVERYTHING in order was because they were taking drugs (which are now controlled medications that require more monitoring) in order to get everything done. One new mom is not and should not be expected to tackle everything on her own.
Keep Advice to the Minimum
I’m sure you have received a ton of advice, including from my posts! A lot of other moms will tell you what you should be experiencing or what they went through. Some of this information is very helpful. Sometimes this information makes you feel like you aren’t doing enough. If you are afraid of getting advice, don’t ask too many people for it. Ask your closest family and friends. Everyone has a lot to say on what it takes to raise a baby but sometimes they have lifestyles that are very different than yours and you don’t really connect with what they are saying. I hope that through my other posts you can find some clarity and realistic views on what it’s like to be a first-time mom and that struggling is OKAY but it does not mean you have to go through it in silence.