Postpartum??

Question

My daughter is 3 months old(who has medical issues) I also have a 3 year old son (who I dont think I am being a very good mother too) I am just not spending enough time with him and I find myself snapping at him a lot. I do not want to go on any medication for postpartum. Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do to feel better on my own??

By the way I am a single mother.

Answer 1

What can you do to help yourself feel better on your own? Try changing your diet. Go off of all sugar and refined white flour products. Use honey instead of sugar, or stevia as a sweetener in smoothies, tea and beverages. Try to wean yourself off of caffeine if you drink coffee or caffeinated tea, sodas, or chocolate (all have high amounts of caffeine).

Add fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. Try raw vegetables with dip. Just prepare a few, and keep them in baggies in the refrigerator to grab as a quick, healthy snack. Snack on almonds and peanuts and raisins. Sliced cheese on apples, whole grain crackers.

If you eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water, this should help you to have more patience. Deep breathing really helps too. Whenever you start to lose your patience, take a deep breath through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth a few times. Also, try to count to 10 before reacting to your 3 year old (easier said than done, right?).

Homeopathy is good - and cranio/sacral therapy, massage or chiropractic treatments can be helpful. If your body is functioning optimally (everything is in alignment), and you are feeding it properly, you will feel better. See if your library has some yoga tapes. This is deep breathing and relaxing.

Make a point to spend just 15 minutes a day reading to your son. Snuggle up on the couch, when baby is sleeping, and read to him. You will feel so much better, really you will.

I commend you for taking on the challenge of being a single mom with an infant and a 3 year old. If you want support, contact a church and see if they have a grandma who would like to help you out. Churches are wonderful resourses for encouragement and support.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have alot of stress.. and that can cause you to snap. If you feel like you are depressed or out of control, seek help right away! Most states have free care for women who feel they are victims of postpartum depression, all you need to do is contact your local social health and services office and ask about it. The solution isnt always medication! To be honest, alot of therapists are anti-medication, and will try to help you find a way to deal without it! Some will just push pills.. but a good therapist will help you find the problem, and encourage healthy ways to deal with it! good luck hun, just remember your babies love you, and you love them... and things will get better :)

Answer 3

No seek help before you make your son a victim of your post partum depression. Constantly snapping at your little boy might do a permanent psychological damage to your son. Worst case scenario would be him growing up to look upon your daughter as someone who separated him from the only loving person known to him.

I know you are not snapping at him on purpose but it is still better to seek help and bridge a good relationship with your son and between the peers too.

Answer 4

Good Mommy,
I have three children and have suffered through my share of post partum depression - I have recently discovered Arbonne hormone cream and it is truly a wonderful thing! Its a natural progesterone cream that helps keep your hormone levels balanced. I know it might sound hokey, but I can tell you from personal experience that it did work very well for me. You can check out the website - www.arbonne.com - and find a consultant to help you get more specific answers about how/when to use it, what it specifically does. I hope this helps! I know how depressing and tiring parenting young children can be (as well as rewarding). Be kind to yourself. You are being a good parent, simply because you are trying to be better!

Answer 5

The things that you are feeling can sometimes be pretty overwhelming. I too felt this way when my daughter was born. I know that you are tired and would like a mid day nap yourself but, when the youngest is sleeping take that time to read quietly to the oldest child. Or to play with play dough. The reason that I suggested play dough is because it can also act as a tension release when smashing it in your hands and feeling it move through your fingers. Try those things and see if they work.

Answer 6

I know what you are going through. I am married but my hubby is in iraq right now. We have a 3 year old and a 1 month old. I feel the same as you at times. You just have to take your breaks where you can get them. When they go to bed take a hot bath and try to relax for a few. If you get time watch something you like on tv. Try to remember you have needs too, its ok to do something for yourself. good luck.

Answer 7

Are you spending any time with yourself?
If not, you need to find some time.
If you can't afford a babysitter or don't have any family that can or will watch the kids then you can call your local county Health Dept. and get the phone number for RESPIT(pronounced RESS-PIT).
And they do it for FREE!! No matter what your income is.
They will come to your house and watch the kids while you take a few hrs to yourself...
Take yourself out to lunch, for a walk in the mall or even a nice drive....
You've already taken the 1st step by knowing that you need help.

Answer 8

there is a lot of ways to get help you can try alternative meds. like homeopatic remedies it helped my wife, but make sure you go to someone with known good results, if not you might just go throgh another year without moving away from the problem, but in any matter if you like yoursef & or your kids make sure you go for help asap, you dont want them to grow up suffering because it can get worse it can take you to a bipolar which is much worse situation, so good luck & should god be with you,