I wanted to elaborate on my hiatus from social media after I had our baby. First of all, I think it’s perfectly normal and healthy to take social media breaks every now and then ESPECIALLY after you have a baby. Your hormones are and will be all out of whack and the last thing you need to be doing is checking in on the people on IG who are living their own lives, not concerned about you.
Harsh? It’s the truth. Stop scrolling and focus on you.
This is your time to bond with your new family structure and adjust to your new life. I would have taken a longer break if my job wasn’t actually on the internet, to be honest.
That being said, I definitely felt very sad and disconnected after coming home. There were so many factors that played into it and I just needed to feel it all and it takes its toll.
What helped me :
- Placenta Pills. Yo, these are LEGIT. And don’t at me about it. I’ve encapsulated my placenta every single time and I’ll do it again any time after this. In Atlanta, I use Stephanie at Atlanta Placenta and she’ll even make you a smoothie to drink after delivery to help get the benefits of your placenta right away.
- Benefits include :
- Helping with postpartum depression. You start with a higher dosage in the beginning and then taper off but there’s a definite difference in how I felt and I know when I need them.
- Replenishes your iron and helps prevent post birth anemia.
- Helps establish early and healthy milk supply.
- Natural pain reliever.
- Stabilizes your hormones….. and the list goes on.
- Benefits include :
- Journaling. I found that I would get more and more emotional as the day went on and I would just wait for the older girls to go to sleep to then just cry. While I was a sobbing mess, I would write down the thoughts going through my mind. Anything from mom guilt to not feeling anything in particular, and then I would write a win or wins for the day. That could have been as simple as being able to pick Avery up for the first time since delivery or drinking an entire smoothie because I hadn’t had much of an appetite. Any little thing can be a win but it’s important to remember them.
- Fresh Air. Sometimes just sitting outside for a minute can change your mood.
- Hiring a lactation consultant. If you are planning on breast feeding, hiring a great lactation consultant that can either come to you or you to her is essential. I’ve seen one after every delivery and I couldn’t recommend doing it more. This time I used Megan Tucker with Baby Basics Atlanta. Tell her I sent you!
- Eating healthy. If you didn’t know, we are a vegan family and my husband has been making me amazing smoothies every day which has absolutely helped me stay clear and focused throughout the day. I haven’t had any cravings for anything else and have cut out processed sugar as well. It’s absolutely helped with my healing.
- Having someone to talk to. For me, it’s my husband. I’m incredibly lucky to have him by my side through thick and thin and he gets me. He knows when I need to just vent and he knows when he needs to bring me a placenta pill because I’m getting a little hormonal. lol If you don’t feel like you have anyone to talk to, I would suggest looking into a counselor/therapist to help you get through the fourth trimester and beyond.
Speaking of the fourth trimester, something that we’ve done with every baby is take the fourth trimester OFF. I don’t normally allow visitors right away anyway, but we’ve taken the majority of the fourth trimester to just be in our bubble and bond as a family without any outside people coming in. I know that it’s probably not reality for some people, especially if you have a big family (which we don’t), but taking time to adjust and not just throw yourself out into the world without really getting a grip on your new dynamics has really helped us bond as a family and has made us grow closer.
Postpartum Depression is a real thing folks. I’m lucky that I had mild baby blues, but other women aren’t as lucky. If you feel like you need help, PLEASE seek it. If you need to get on medication, do it. If you need a therapist, please find one. If you want to take a walk, take it. This too shall pass. Be patient with yourself and take care of yourself first. You’ll be a better mommy because of it.
Postpartum Support : 1.800.944.4773 (4PPD) or text a message to 503.894.9453 if you need help. Click this LINK to learn more.
xo,
Crystal
* This post is NOT sponsored. All opinions are 100% my own.
