Mommies I need help? How can I feel good again?

Question

I wanted to know the quick easy ways you feel better about yourself? How you got back into shape? How do you get anything done? Am I ever going to feel good about myself outside of motherhood again? My baby is 3 weeks old and I feel like I look worse than ever, I cant get anything done, and I dont know what to do!

Answer 1

How many moms are reading this and nodding their heads in understanding. You are in the perfectly normal zone of motherhood where you are overtired, overwhelmed and feeling so different about everything.

They say that there's a 4th trimester after giving birth. It's the time of recouperating, regrouping and getting used to the whole new mommy experience. Give yourself time. Give yourself rest. Right now, the most important things are your baby and your health.

I suggest focusing just on your baby and getting enough sleep until the 6 week mark. Then, when you go back in for your post-partum check-up, talk to your doctor about a fitness routine.

Slowly, but with plenty of self-motivation, ease your baby into a routine that'll benefit the both of you. Start taking your baby out for walks in the stroller. Pick nap times whenyou can rest and when you can get things done. Just do the basics and work your way up from there.

A great book that helped me understand a routine for baby and me is The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg.

Best wishes, and don't despair. I PROMISE you, with a little work and determination, you'll get back in shape, get things done and feel GREAT about yourself.

My son is 14 months old. He's on a great routine that works for the both of us. I got down to my pre-baby weight and lost 10 more pounds after that!! My house is cleaner, I'm more organized and I'm healthier than I was before I had my son!! I'm also nearly 2 months pregnant with baby #2. But, don't rush it. It'll happen, but take a little time.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

First off relax. You have a 3 week old baby, your tired all the time, your schedule is not normal, and YOU JUST HAD A BABY! You can start by going for walks. What I did to get back into shape was evaluate what you are eating and exercise. It's hard with a newborn because all you want to do is sleep when the baby sleeps. You could sign up for aerobics classes that are created for new moms. Get on the internet and search for exercise classes for new moms. There are so many programs out there that have been created with moms with new babies in mind. They allow you to bring your baby along with you and not only do you get exercise, meet other new moms, and you bond with the baby as well. If you don't want to go out than buy a exercise program (slim in 6, power 90, tae bo, etc.) I know for a fact that slim in 6 works, and i am currently doing power 90. Makew sure before you do anything though the doctor says its ok. Mine told me 6 weeks before any strenuous exercise. Another thing to do is get pampered your sure to feel a little better about yourself after a massage, manicure, and pedicure. Good luck, it will get better I promise.

Answer 3

Easy girl, 3 weeks!!!! It took you 9 months to gain the weight, relax you have time to take it back off. At 3 weeks you don't have to get anything done except care for you and your baby, stop being so hard on yourself. Save the being super mom act for when you've healed and recouped from giving birth. I didn't start to feel normal until about 10 weeks and even still I have boughts of disgust at my body. But it continues to get better. All this coming from a woman with a type A personality, so if I can do it anyone can do it; give up some things that aren't that important...prioritizing helps but remember Mommy 1st then baby, because if you don't care for yourself then you can't care for your kid(s).

Answer 4

I totally agree with Jennifer. The way you are feeling is normal. I have a 9 month old and 2 year old. I felt the same way you did after I had both of them (2nd was the worst). I just make sure that I take care of myself (get dressed, put on makeup, etc). And try to get out of the house as much as you can. Even just to take a walk. I joined a mom's group in my area (meetup.com) a few months ago and that is the best thing I have ever done. I have made so many great mommy friends and now my kids will have friends to grow up with. As for getting things done. I just put my daughter in her swing or bouncy seat in the morning while I clean. I do a little bit each day and we always clean up after ourselves so cleaning is not such a big task. Also, do you think you may have post partum depression? A LOT of moms get this. I had to take medication because I had it. Just a thought. Good luck it gets better!

Answer 5

OMG - I totally can relate. After I had my baby I was huge, tired, and overwhelmed. I had put on about 40 lbs during pregnancy.

I started walking with my baby everyday and as I healed and was cleared to do exercise by my doctor, started light weight training and abdominal exercises.

The first 3-4 weeks I lost about 25lbs. Months 2-4 were slower in weight loss about 7lbs in 2 months, but month 5 I lost another 7 lbs. I think what kickstarted it was that I changed my diet. I only snacked once per day and lunch and dinner 5 days a week was a hearty vegetable soup.

I would suggest you take a nap when your baby takes a nap, don't worry about any chores (have someone else help you with those things), get a baby carrier and walk outside with your baby and enjoy the closeness. Modify your diet so that you're close (but just slightly under) to the recommended calorie allotment for breastfeeding mothers (if you are breastfeeding). Talk to your doctor about how you're feeling; you're not alone in feeling this way; most new mom's get the baby blues. If you are unable to see your doctor, talk to your baby's pediatrican.

I did all of these things. Though it took a while to get where I needed to be weight wise, I feel good about the time I was able to spend with my baby while we walked together and I don't regret my bathroom and kitchen not being spotless all the time. If your friends offer to help, have them bring you a meal or two. If your family offers to help, have them come over to help you straighten and clean.

First and foremost, take care of yourself and your baby. And don't forget it took 9 months for the weight to come on and it usually takes 9 months for it to come off.

Take care!

Answer 6

Best way to get in shape is to eat healthy and working out no dieting mothers need there energy to keep up with baby. I have a 3year old and a 3 week old baby too. I thought i was going to have hard time getting things done but i don't all i do make sure both kids are feed and changed and the baby usually goes back to sleep so i don't have to worry about him waking up while i'm out since i have two hours before he wakes up again. Just do your normal routine you might take little longer now to get ready but that's why i wake up in the mornings to get a head start. Just hang in there everything will go back to normal it's hard for the first month

Answer 7

Here's what I do to help me feel better about myself right now:

Long walks, healthy food, clothes that fit (now, not before and during pregnancy), lots of caffeine, occasional glasses of wine and, 100 mg of Zoloft every day. Oh, yeah, and lower standards for housekeeping. I forbid you to do any cleaning tonight. Outsource dinner, leave the dirty dishes where they are, leave the laundry as it is, and do nothing but take care of your baby and you. Put baby in the bouncer while you take a shower (leave the bathroom door open and put baby in the bathroom with you). Take a long shower, shave your legs, do your eyebrows (always makes me feel better) and then order in dinner while you watch a movie and nurse your baby. Promise me that you won't clean, OK? Tomorrow, you'll have a little more energy, and you can put baby in the carrier (if you don't have a sling, yet, you NEED one, for your sanity) while you catch up. I feel for you. You're smart to address these feelings now before they get worse. If they do get worse, make an appt with your midwife or OBGYN to discuss postpartum depression. I wish you the best!

Answer 8

I felt the same way when i had my daughter. I think its normal to feel like a train wreck...I mean we are getting approximately 4 hours of sleep a night...I waited unitl my daughter was 2 months old and I got a job as a fitness trainer at a local womens gym. It was a good way to lose some weight, it took me about a year to get back into my skinny clothes but I didnt really exercise regularly, I just did my normal work around the house and went for short walks with the stroller. Small amounts of exercise really do work, and in no time you will feel like your old self again, trust me I did!
God bless and take care!

Answer 9

Have you talked to your dr, You may have post pardum. I sure did. But your baby is only 3 weeks old. Your body is not normal yet. It will come (if you dont have p.p.d). I had my hubby watch the baby one day and I went out for a momy day without the kids. I had my mom and sister come with me. We had manis and pedis, had our hair done (there are cheap places so you dont go bankrupt) then went to lunch. It really rejuvinated me. But it wasn't 3 weeks after I had the baby it was almost 2 months. I had a c-section and then a stich bust so I had a hard time walking at 3 weeks

Answer 10

Yes, so much mommies do believe exhausted. I understand I did. Since you're breastfeeding it seems like there is no finish or holiday, correct?. It's average to believe that manner. You acknowledged that during among feedings all you wish to do is sleep... then by means of all manner sleep. The pleasant recommendation I can supply you is sleep while your daughter sleeps. By the time your daughter is one-2 months you can begin feeling larger and you can believe plenty extra at ease and confidently you can have vigour to do residence paintings/cook dinner and if no longer that is nonetheless OK Keep in brain your frame simply went by way of a 'transformation' so the exhaustion does not depart instantly, it takes time. May I advocate having your husband/boyfriend support with the cooking and cleansing? Also, why is your shrink again "killing" you? Is it the function you are in at the same time breastfeeding? or as a result of the exertions and supply? I'll inform you that from enjoy I felt SUPER worn out while I had my first child. As an issue of truth, my moment child worn out me out much more than the primary. The first did not take the breast after a month lengthy strive, nonetheless, my moment took the breast like a professional and nursed nearly all day AND used me as a pacifier. I wholly felt exhausted of the entire nursing. My woman slept for approximately an hour and used to be up once more in need of to nurse. I felt I had no time for myself or for my boy or girl. Not to say, I did not have time to cook dinner/blank. My vigour began making a choice on up after approximately 6 weeks after giving start. Your emotions are very average. You are doing satisfactory! Keep up the satisfactory paintings and recall to sleep while your daughter sleeps.