How to Cope With the Postpartum Baby Blues
Something that I see first-time moms overlook is finding strategies that work for them to cope with the baby blues and their negative emotions. If you’ve recently had a baby and aren’t taking care of your well-being, it’s time to work on that…like today.
If you’re not sure what the baby blues are, check out my blog post on postpartum depression before reading this article.
As someone who experienced the baby blues during postpartum, I can tell you that it didn’t help trying to get rid of my feelings by crying and thinking about how hard it is to raise my newborn. So, I decided to engage in activities and use the tools available to me.
Whether this is your first baby, second, or third, I know this article will be useful.
Remember that the key to taking care of your well-being after having a baby is to make use of activities that light you up and bring you out of your negative thoughts about postpartum. Here are 9 strategy ideas to cope with the baby blues.
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Meditation
Many people think of meditation as just another thing to clog up their schedule and their already long list of things to do. But it doesn’t need to be that hard. Meditation is a powerful strategy to help you manage your baby blues.
Many studies like this study looking at the Headspace app, show that meditation helps manage stress and improves mood.
It’s not something that needs to eat up a chunk of your day. You can benefit from meditation by doing it for only 5 to 10 minutes per day. I suggest making it a practice while you’re feeding your baby or after you lay your baby down for a nap.
It’s easier to pick up a new habit when you tie it with something else you have to do anyway.
Simply close your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths in and out, and just sit there. Anytime you notice your thoughts wander (and they will a lot), take your focus back to your breath.
Did you know that mom guilt and the baby blues can go hand in hand? Check out my Letting Go of Mom Guilt Workbook to manage the guilt many of us moms feel every day.
Mini Workout With Your Baby
I don’t like working out…at all. But the thing is, if I didn’t exercise or do any type of movement in the thick of postpartum, it would’ve been way harder to cope with the baby blues.
I made it easier on myself by following short YouTube videos that didn’t push me beyond my abilities but still got my heart rate going. If you can’t commit to longer workout sessions like me, at least spend about 10 minutes to boost that serotonin.
Before engaging in any form of exercise, make sure your healthcare provider has given you the go-ahead to start exercising.
Chores With Your Baby
I know what you're thinking…how could doing chores possibly help you get rid of the baby blues? Well, let me explain.
I talk about how doing chores is beneficial for your baby in my articles on how to play with your newborn and how it can help you get more sleep, but I’m here to tell you that it can help you feel better as well. Doing chores in itself isn’t fun for everyone, but it is rewarding.
And if you do your chores while your baby is awake instead of waiting until your baby is asleep, you can use your time more wisely. When your baby sleeps, you can have your own quiet time or take a nap for yourself. Doesn’t that sound like bliss when you’re sleep-deprived?
It might take some time for your newborn to feel comfortable being left alone on the floor or in the crib, so this might be a strategy you have to work toward.
10-Minute Daily Walks
I admit, It was hard for me to commit to going on daily walks and now that it’s Winter here in Canada, I have to say going on walks is far and few between. But, going on walks was one of the best ways I was able to cope with the baby blues.
Whenever I’m cooped up inside for too long, I push myself to take even the shortest walk and ultimately feel better after doing so. And, after all the effort of getting me and my baby dressed and putting him in the stroller, I typically would walk even longer than 10 minutes.
If you have trouble, just tell yourself, “Though going on walks isn’t my favourite thing to do, I know I can commit to 10 minutes every day at the least.”
Have Company Over Once in a While
I’m pretty introverted but while I was trying to cope with the baby blues, I knew I needed my mom and my sisters over sometimes.
As a reminder though, you’re not there to serve the people who come over. Make sure to ask for help and set clear boundaries with them.
It can be really helpful for you and your partner to have someone clean or cook for you during the early stages of postpartum.
Use Meal or Grocery Delivery Services As Needed
Meal services like HelloFresh and grocery delivery services like Instacart can get expensive but they are a huge time saver. When feeling sad or stressed out, it’s not easy making food or getting out to the grocery store.
However, we have to eat and move on with our life. Make use of these services whenever you need to so you can make sure there’s food on the table. I took advantage of them for the first couple of weeks during postpartum and I’m so glad that I did.
Snuggle With Your Newborn and Watch TV
One of my favourite things to do when I had the baby blues was take advantage of newborn cuddles, contact naps, and to just sit on the couch and watch TV.
I recognize that this isn’t healthy to do in the long run but when all you’re responsible for is to feed your baby, help them sleep, and change them, why not have some fun and catch up on the shows you’ve been meaning to watch?
Watching TV lets you sit with your feelings but also helps you step away from your negative thinking for a little while. It’s completely OK to engage in something fun so long as you’re still taking care of your responsibilities.
Go All in to Play With Your Newborn - Even When You’re Tired
There are many ways you can play with your newborn. But there are days when your baby is more active while you’re tired, and you can’t spend your newborn’s wake window watching TV ALL the time.
On those days that you’re tired, sometimes it’s helpful to fake it while you make it and go all in. Talk about all sorts of things with your baby, dance with them, sing to them, or do anything that keeps them entertained. You’ll notice the wake window will go by in a blink of an eye.
Plus playing and and bonding with your baby releases endorphins and oxytocin, both of which will help you feel better and cope with the baby blues.
Connect With Other Moms
Last but not least, I highly suggest you connect with other moms. You can do this in person if you know other moms or find online communities on Facebook like my Thrive as a First-Time Mom Facebook group.
When I was down in the slumps and doubting every choice I made as a first-time mom, being able to read about other mom’s journeys and ask for advice was invaluable to me.
You’ll benefit most from these groups by participating, but if you’re shy, you can lurk in the background and still gain a lot of value from other mom’s experiences in motherhood.
That’s all the tips I’ve got to help you cope with the baby blues! I hope you take the time to figure out what makes you feel better and make use of these strategies I shared.
Don’t forget to join my Thrive as a First-Time Mom Facebook group so you can take advantage of my weekly live shows and connect with other moms like you.
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Check out more of my posts:
DEALING WITH SLEEP DEPRIVATION AS A NEW MOM
10 RECOMMENDATIONS TO SMASH RELATIONSHIP DISSATISFACTION AFTER HAVING A BABY