Please tell me how to overcome my postpartum tiredness

I will add I never really made much of an effort since having my first child. My daughter went from being the most colicky, to the most fussy to the most clingy and now the most moody child. She wiped me out during my pregnancy and I had so many nights where I cried myself to sleep because I didn’t know what to do with her and wasn’t giving her enough. My son is almost 3 months old. He is such a different baby from his sister.

The only thing that gave me my spark back was help. If someone came over for a couple hours I would shower and nap and sometimes put on makeup and feel like a whole different person and a better parent. Well, and time. Distance from the birth and an older baby. Three months is still very much in the trenches. Working out a schedule is easier when they are older and so fitting in moments for yourself is easier. You mentioned becoming the person you want to be... I always feel closer to that when I am learning. Put one earbud in and listen to something on topic with an interest of yours. Whether it's a YouTube video on history, quantum mechanics, or how to get organized. Clutterbug does lots of "clean/organize/declutter with me" motivational videos I like to listen to, they are helpful and funny. But you can find anything on there. Just remember you can get overstimulated especially by ads so turn it off or turn it down if you get frustrated all of a sudden.

Also, it's very quick to do a breathing exercise, bilateral tapping, or vagal nerve work via breath and mouth sounds. They regulate your nervous system and make you feel good, which is definitely self care, and make you more calm which is good for everyone, at least in my house.

I made a routine for myself every morning and evening, I'd wake up b4 the kids and do a bit of self care; quick homework out, shower/ make up n pull out an actual outfit that wasn't lounge clothes and then a proper nutritious meal for breakfast, not skipping because I don't have time or th kids won't let me.

The at the end of th day I'd similarly have a wind down with skincare routine.

Over time th kids got used t me working out so I'd do it whilst they're having their morning play or take it outdoors depending on th time of year.

And then just build new things in as th kids get older and let u sleep more.
But I found focusing on eating more protein over processed carbs did wonders in boosting my energy along side moving my body daily!

A 20 minute light workout everyday really does the job. Growwithjo on YouTube

The most important thing that I’ve learned is you need to start prioritizing yourself give yourself an hour or two to yourself do something for you whatever makes you excited or happy go somewhere where your kids can’t find you and that someone babysit them honestly I started doing that at six months postpartum and it was the best decision ever you start to find yourself again. You need to make yourself happy and better person before you can show that to your kids. The better person you are the better parent you are.!

thank you for the suggestions. I’m going to look these up

Mentally, I know that self care is important. I use to exercise and run competitively. Since having my first child (a traumatic birth that left some birth injuries to my body), I feel like I’m not that person at all anymore and it makes me feel so crummy about myself. I want to be capable of the same things, it doesn’t have to be to the same extent, I just wish to back some sacred time for me.

I love my children so much. I love caring for them, but when I pick up my children and my body aches so much, it’s just a reminder that I need to start caring for myself

the massage is a good idea. My back hurts so much and I always feel bad about this at the end of the day when I put my baby down