Dealing with the Baby Blues

When I had my bub, I suffered from the baby blues for a number of months. I was lethargic all the time, I couldn't think clearly (I think they call that brain fog), and I was just generally fairly miserable. There were times when getting out of bed felt as difficult as moving the world. I'd find myself crying at the smallest things. Sometimes I even had - gulp - thoughts of regret at giving birth to my beautiful little baby. I'd look at my bub and sometimes find myself thinking "Oh... he isn't a very attractive one, is he?". That was what really shocked me. I'd always wanted a child, and now that I had this beautiful gift, instead of being overjoyed, I was sad and regretful.

There were even moments when I thought of dying. I'd never thought that way before.

I've always been a happy and carefree woman, so this turn of events was very unusual for me.

Hubby noticed the changes too. I was like a dark presence in the house - quiet, solemn, changing nappies with a glum look on my face, preparing dinner without really caring about whether it tasted good, not wanting to go out. I felt sorry for hubby in those few months. He'd come home from work, and there I was, baby in my arms, and I wouldn't really want to acknowledge either one of them.

I breastfed my bubby, directly from the nipple. This didn't help things. For some reason, whenever my baby would nurse, I'd feel this horrible wave of sadness and guilt, almost like I was doing something taboo. I researched this phenomenon on the web a few weeks after starting, and discovered that it has a name - 'Sad Nipple Syndrome'. It sounds almost like a joke, doesn't it? But for some of us it's very real.

Combining sad nipple syndrome with general post-natal depression made things very difficult for me overall.

After a number of months, Hubby and I both resolved that I needed to do something about it. I couldn't keep going on like this - the guilt was overwhelming. I was spoiling things, not only for my baby, but for my husband a well. That feeling of guilt pushed me even further into depression.

I explained things to my doctor - I hadn't mentioned any of this to her, because really, I'm not the type to complain about things, and I was brought up in a very English household where you're supposed to keep a 'stiff upper lip' about such things. But I'm glad I did. She gave me a blood test, and soon after, she put my on a course of hormone therapy. She also encouraged me to change my diet, and to start exercising.

I hate exercise. I've never been overweight because I tend not to overeat, but exercise has always been anathema to me. But I followed her advice and started exercising on Hubby's treadmill - walking quickly - for 20 minutes a day. I also supplemented my diet with lots of turkey, fish, and chicken. The serotonin in these foods is supposed to help enhance the mood. I also tried to focus on hobbies outside of my bubby and hubby. I like to paint, and started to do that for an hour a day. It helped keep me engaged with something other than family and household work.

The difference was brilliant! Within a couple of weeks I was back to my old, happy self! It's amazing what a couple of estrogen tablets each day, exercise, and a few bits of turkey can do to lift your mood. Yes, I still had moments where I'd feel blue, but these were okay, not like before where I'd feel blue, tired, and down for the entire day. I also still experience 'Sad Nipple Syndrome' when I breastfeed, but it's not too bad now - it was terrible when I was generally depressed, but having sad nipples once in a while, I don't mind that. It leaves once baby finishes feeding anyway.

Now I am so happy with my bubby! I can't believe that I felt moments of regret when I was in that post-partum depression stage. Now I look at him and feel such a wonderful sense of warmth, joy, pleasure, and I just want to eat him up. He's gorgeous. He's more than gorgeous. He's the most beautiful bubby in the world! Hubby and I are back to normal, and hubby no longer has to worry about me. I'm so happy now. I'm so glad I dealt with the depression when I did.

So to recap, for me, the ways to deal with the post-partum depression were:

1. Seek help from a doctor!
2. Estrogen supplementation
3. 20 minutes of brisk walking a day, just enough to get my heart rate pumping
4. Including more serotonin-rich foods into my diet like turkey, fish, and chicken
5. Spending an hour a day focusing on a hobby away from baby and family, which for me is painting

I can't say which was responsible for my recovery, but I really think all of them combined had a role to play. These things are conducive to a healthy lifestyle anyway, so try them all at once, of course, get advice from your doctor first!

Andrea

My Family Gift Box - These are Fantastic!

So your new bub is on the way, or your friend is about to pop! Well, why not welcome that new baby into the world with one of these beautiful gift baskets from Baby Gift Box?

This beautiful gift hamper is perfect for that new little boy. It includes 

• 1 little blue giraffe plush toy
• A 100% cotton baby body suit
• A 100% cotton striped bib
• A wooden family picture frame
• Mother & child massage oil - a beautiful combination of primrose and almond oils
• Heart shaped chocolate truffle (for the grown-ups!)
• And finally a gift card where you can include your own message

I can highly recommend this family gift box from the Baby Gift Box online shop! Click the image below, or view more details about the family gift box here!

Potty Training Your Boy - It's All About Confidence & Positive Reinforcement!

We all know how challenging potty training your young boy can be.

You have your own expectations, you want your toddler to start being more independent, and your child might not want to disappoint you. These expectations can create a lot of pressure for your toddler, and for you.

There are a number of things to think about before you start potty training your young boy.

It's important that you know the growth a young boy undergoes. Between 12 and 24 months, your young boy's sphincter muscles will strengthen and develop, which means he will be able to hold in his poopies for longer than before. He will begin to understand the feeling of a full rectum and a full bladder. However, this may not necessarily mean that he is ready for potty training yet.

It's important that your boy can express his feelings to you in a basic way. For example, he needs to be able to tell you "wee wee" or "poo poo" if he feels the need to relieve himself in his diaper. Before you start potty training, your child needs to be able to have dry nappies for longer periods during waking times and after naps. He should also be able to dress and undress himself partially.

You need to develop knowledge of your child's signals. Every boy is different, so different children will display different signals. Learn what these signals mean, and not only will you know when to start potty training, but you will also develop a closer bond with your child.

Never pressure your child too soon into potty training! This is important. If you do pressure him, he will start to hold his poo in when asked to potty, and this is not a good situation! Like most things, the right time to start potty training will come naturally as you observe your boy's habits, and he learns to express his feelings and intentions to you.

Like everything, when you begin potty training, use positive reinforcement methods - praise him profusely when he does something right, give him something nice to eat, make him feel a sense of achievement! Positive reinforcement is the best way to increase your boy's confidence, and before long he will be potty-trained!

 

Are you looking for something comfortable for baby to wear? Something light, made of natural materials, and pretty? 

This lace baby vest from the Australian shop - the Baby Store - is wonderful for bubs up to one year old! The baby vest is made from 100% merino wool, and is designed to be worn over the skin or your baby's fave top! This vest has that beautiful, classic look.

The light weaving is incredibly comfortable for baby, fire resistant, low allergenic, and easy to wash.

I highly recommend this merino wool lace vest for your baby. It's simply gorgeous!

Click here to purchase this merino wool vest from the Baby Store!

Merino Wool Baby Vest from the babystore.co.nz

Welcome to Baby, Baby, Baby!

When I became a new mom, I was overwhelmed by everything. Even with hubby's help, there was just too much to think about. Strollers, basinettes, feeding bottles, bottle warmers, pacifiers, cots - there was just SO much to consider. Not to mention clothes, food, and things that I needed to find on a daily basis!

I wished there was somewhere out there to make things easier. That's why I've started this blog. I'm now a more experienced mom - bubby is now two years old, and she is as beautiful and terrible as can be. It's the terrible-twos after all, and she is now acting up! But she's the sweetest and cutest thing that can be.

I hope moms will find this blog useful. I've made it easy for you to find products and baby care articles, all in the one place. Pass it on to your friends if it's helpful to you!

Andrea