To wonder if this is normal mum life (6 month old)?

31 replies

Bethymum · 13/12/2025 15:52

I’m struggling and feel like I’m the only one.

I’m struggling to do the following:
-Find time to cook/eat
-Go to the toilet
-Just sit down for a bit while he does something independently

As a result I’m losing weight and just generally not healthy, losing hair also and skin is bad.

He is quite a fussy baby I suspect due to his temperament but also food allergy (in the process of investigating), but I’m so drained. I feel like a failure because everyone talks about the newborn stage and so at 6 months I feel like I shouldn’t be finding it so hard still. I suppose the main thing is I’m constantly rushing and so I never feel calm and it’s started to take its toll. For example I might rush to put some clothes on before he starts getting upset that I’m not carrying him etc

I am rambling but I suppose my question is. Is it normal to wonder if this is normal mum life? How people cope with multiple children is beyond me. I have a lot of family support and my husband is great but I still feel overwhelmed. I feel like my other nct mums for example seem like they have it together and I’m so frazzled :( I had a successful career before and it feels weird to feel so rubbish at something. I am trying so hard. The house is also an absolute tip now as I can’t find the time to do any tidying.

OP posts:

SmaugTheMagnificent · 13/12/2025 16:34

Mine were not like this. When I showered I put them in the bouncer on the bathroom floor, they could see me through the shower screen. When I cooked/ate, they were in the crib or bouncer or on the floor. And so on. I couldn't do slings (physical issue) so I did this from day 1 so they were used to it and quite happy, but even if they had cried I still would have eaten and washed while they cried.
If you are stressed and unhappy that will impact your baby. It is better for them to cry for ten minutes a few times a day (whilst you talk to them from the shower/stove) and to have a happy healthy mother. They might cry for a while, but they'll get used to it and you will all be much happier long term.

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 13/12/2025 16:25

You're doing great but remember the advice to put on your own mask before helping others? You can't look after anyone else unless you look after yourself. You CAN put the baby down for a bit to wash, shower, eat. If he doesn't really need feeding or nappy changing, he's just used to being 'on' you, which you can change. Put him down (and I had a really clingy baby, its hard I know) and look after yourself.

SnowSnow · 13/12/2025 16:18

Yes this is normal. Some of it depends on the temperament of your child so some people will probably be along soon to say it isn’t but my child certainly was like this and still is to an extent so I found it very hard to get anything done like cooking etc having previously been a cook from scratch kind of person. It is super hard so please give yourself some grace

Original poster

Bethymum · 13/12/2025 16:13

AttachmentFTW · 13/12/2025 15:58

The baby stage is hard! Not just the newborn stage. They want to be carried all the time, they can't tell you what's wrong. Sometimes there is nothing particularly wrong, they just want to be held. You're not doing anything wrong it just is tough. Especially if he is experiencing discomfort with allergies. And other mums may be handling it fine but they may not and are just putting on a front. Try to enjoy what you can (although lots of it is tough) and know that this too shall pass 😊

Thank you, breastfeeding and stopped eating dairy which massively restricted what I could eat

OP posts:

UpMyself · 13/12/2025 15:59

As a result I’m losing weight and just generally not healthy, losing hair also and skin is bad.
This is possibly down to hormone changes and poor nutrition but I'd go to see the GP.

Otherwise, it's normal and doesn't last forever. You can ignore the baby if you have to. You're the boss. You need to eat and sleep.

AttachmentFTW · 13/12/2025 15:58

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