Raw post

I don't know where to begin but I feel like I'm drowning. Before I say anything else, of course I am safe. My son is 7 months old and he is a very energetic happy boy, but I have never felt the same since before I was pregnant.

I am in that stage of postpartum where I don't know who I am and I don't recognise myself. I have tried therapy and it just wasn't helping me. The endless nights of watching your partner go to bed but knowing that the bottles have to be washed and the laundry needs to be done, so you've got to pick the priority and that's your child's stuff. There are nights that I don't go to bed until 1 a.m. and days without showers. Keep in mind I am a uni student as well.

I'm at this point in motherhood where I feel so trapped. I've been told to go to mothers' groups but just the thought of getting out of the house is so incredibly hard. I've reached out to online mothers' groups and tried to make friends but it hasn't really worked.

I don't know how many other mums feel like this, where they just stare at their baby monitor every night, knowing that it's going to be Groundhog Day the next day. Feeling trapped inside their home with a young one, putting all of your priority into them but knowing that the time limit on their nap is so short that nothing can be done anyway.

It's a bit of a raw and real post but this is what stage of motherhood I am in. I would say I'm not enjoying it and I'm not thriving and I don't have my village. If any other mums feel like this, I would encourage you to comment. I hope I'm not the only one.

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I felt like this with my first daughter. Im always open for a chat.

I can 100% relate. It’s like I have capacity to take care of baby but not me really. I prioritise everything for him such as food, washing etc but then by the end of the day I’m too tired to do anything else. Genuinely impressed by how some mumma’s keep on top of everything.

I can relate. I have a 9.5 month old son.

What helped me was my faith. I stayed at home while my husband worked 15 hrs freshly postpartum. I started watching ‘Christian faith movies’ and it helped me to hold onto hope.

Prayer helps. Trusting someone up there is listening. I found a church in my neighbourhood and I met older ladies who helped to take care of my son. I got a break and had ppl carry him. They were like a stand-in family as I don’t have my family here.

I also started working 1 day a week looking after a young autistic child and my husband took care of our baby during that time. I do NDIS work and it was a blessing to slowly get a sense of self back and get out of the house on my own.

Every day is different, some hard, some hopelessness and some joyful. My baby is becoming more engaging and that’s been a joy and blessing to see it was all worth it 🙏✨🕊

Hey Bella! I can definitely resonate with some of this. I’m in Footscray so we live relatively close. Feel free to dm me x

Can you not ask your partner to help? Sharing the load is definitely helpful.

Being a mum is exhausting, Id also chat to your GP it could be postnatal depression.

You will make it out of the other side I promise ❤️

I can relate to this! It gets better. Hang in thers💜 my daughter is two now and I feel more of myself.

Hugely relate to this!! My daughter is almost 8 months old and it’s getting better but oh man it’s soooo hard. Honestly putting her in daycare 3 days a week has been my saving grace. And antidepressants but that’s another story

in our community

Would you be offended by this or am I overly sensitive?

In conversation with my husband talking about our 2nd being our last baby. I said I think this might be it for me as it has really taken its toll on me physically. My husband then commented that maybe it's because this time around I was more unhealthy before conception than I was with my first. My husband is not the father of my first and wasn't around me back then when I was with a previous partner. I am quite conscious that I am the biggest I have ever been and I am struggling. I think this felt like a kick whilst I am down I am only 6 months postpartum.

Why does my baby hate me?

My 7 month old has had a personality change in the past week. He just whinges all day and screams. I feed him, change him, let him nap on me, play, take him for walks and cuddle him. Give him his teething gel and his other medicines he's on. But nothing is ever good enough. He's fine for his Dad. What am I doing wrong? I feel like running away 💔

Help?

My baby’s dad has been adding an extra half scoop to his formula bottles without me knowing, please I am really worried. Will he be ok? I read online it can cause kidney damage he is 1 week old.

Losing supply 😢

Hi ladies, any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've been breastfeeding exclusively but have noticed that my baby is feeding every 1.5 hours (was over 2) and weight is taking a downward trend. I think tiredness is taking its toll.

I had a massive supply at the beginning and have been to breastfeeding support who have confirmed latch is fine but it seems supply is reducing. Now I can't express extra anymore and my stash is running out. I've tried supplementing with formula but she has come out in eczema and stomach upset with multiple brands, so perhaps has CMPA? The doctor won't prescribe DF formula because I include some dairy in my diet and therefore can't be CMPA.

Any tips on how to boost my supply again?

My milk isn’t enough

The past few nights my LO he screamed non stop and fed non stop. I figured this was normal as witching hours and growth spurt as he is 3 weeks.

We have been combi feeding because my milk came through late and he was struggling to gain weight.

The past few nights I have mostly breastfed and given 2 bottles (90ml each) over 6 hours.

Tonight it has been 2 hours and LO has only has formula from my partner and is a lot more settled. It’s obvious that my milk isn’t satisfying him and I feel stupid for crying to my partner about the past few days (I dragged him back from work last night) and I also feel like I’m not good enough.

Really feeling like just packing in breastfeeding. Does anyone have any advice to keep morale up? I feed only from breast during the night and daytime but he still also needs formula in the late morning. Everytime he needs formula to stop the screaming it makes me feel like I’ve failed 😞

5 week old

Can I use sleeping bags for my 5 week old? She’s a wriggly baby when she’s settling for sleep & was wondering if sleeping bag is an option? She manages to move her blanket even when tucked in tight . Any advice?