Is there a normal phase of anxiety about 6 months after having a baby?

[Wobbitcatcher]

My 2nd child is 6 months and I’m suffering with some anxiety around either of my kids having some kind of illness.

It’s quite extreme at the moment with examples like sitting my daughter in her bouncer and then picking her back up because my brain has worried that if she only has a short life I’ll be upset that she wasn’t in my arms more. It’s also with my son where he’s comes into bed with me in the night and I think well if something happens at least I’ve had an extra night of cuddles.

I am coping and doing everything I need to do but just all with this extra pressure of making the most of all our lives just in case.

I’m very pro vax but have convinced myself az will kill me (I’m 30 so just out of the window)

I went through something similar when my son was about this age too, that was more based on accidents than illnesses and gradually it calmed back down to a more reasonable level.

So I’m just wondering if this is a thing? Some kind of anxiety causing dip in hormones 6 months postpartum?

I don't know - but my children are 3 and 5 and I haven't stopped being anxious about them yet. I don't remember 6 months being a particular point where I felt more anxious than any other time, but everyone is different. As an example, for me it was when they were 8-12 months and I was going back to work

Don't underestimate sleep deprivation as a cause of anxiety either. I'm not expert but I do know that if it interferes with your daily life (it must do if you are posting about it) then do seek help. You sound like you're doing a great job and you deserve to be happy and enjoy your little ones.

I think my anxiety gets a bit better from six months on.

Sorry you're feeling like this. I can empathise. I'm not sure about the 6 month mark either but know new or increased anxiety is common, especially in the first 3 years. I'm very conscious of any potential harms to my daughter, long term or short. (And to myself as her mum, since covid arrived.) Lack of sleep and stress definitely have an impact, and it can be a bit of a vicious circle that way. You sound like you're coping well considering but I agree, do seek help (your GP, Mind, Anxiety UK). Totally understandable if you're finding it hard and/or tiring managing those 'what if' thoughts on a daily basis. Caffeine intake is something to keep an eye on too.

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This article says it can start up to a year after birth.

I also think it’s quite normal to be more anxious about danger when you have a baby