When you’re welcoming a baby, it’s perfectly normal…
Image: baby elephant underneath parent’s legs
To not sleep when the baby sleeps - Everybody wants to get stuff done, and those dishes won't do themselves! However, you also deserve to rest. Who in your life can stop by for a round of dishes?
To not love your birth story - Maybe things didn’t go the way you wanted them to go. Maybe you feel sad or frightened by what happened. Find ways to be with those feelings, such as journaling or talking to a friend. If you continue to feel stuck, reaching out to a mental health professional to process your experiences can help.
To be readjusting with your partner - You both just became parents (or parents again)! That's a huge shift, and it makes sense that things are feeling a little different, especially when you're sleep deprived. You will find ways to connect as you move forward.
To struggle to connect with your older child while caring for your new baby, or vice versa - Having two or more kiddos in the house is a huge adjustment for your older child(ren), but also for you! You may feel sad about the amount of time you spend away from your older child, or you may feel frustrated by their needs. If you are struggling with the adjustment to 2+, reach out to friends with multiple children who can hold space for your experiences.
To feel ambivalent about being a parent - When your baby was born, you were also born as a parent. This may not be your first baby, but this is still your first time parenting this baby. This is new. It will not feel natural or straightforward all the time. Give yourself time. Give yourself space. You are a good parent, and feeling ambivalent about these huge changes is NORMAL.
Looking for more support? Dr. Anna Breuer is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in the field of parent and infant mental health. She provides both ongoing individual psychotherapy, parent/infant therapy sessions, parent/child therapy sessions, and group psychotherapy, and would love to speak to you further about your needs in a free consultation call. Please reach out today at:
(504)226-5403 or schedule a consult call: www.drannabreuer.com