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Antenatal/postnatal depression

Our Antenatal and Postnatal Depression forum is a supportive space where you can share your postnatal depression experiences.

Baby blues

3 replies

YourAquaHiker · 12/01/2026 04:56

Hi all, I am 8 days postpartum to the most gorgeous little boy. Our baby won’t sleep anywhere else but our arms which is making everything a bit difficult and we are very sleep deprived as a result. A few days ago I suddenly felt ‘scared’ that this was going to go on forever. I was also very emotional and was crying very easily. I realised I hadn’t eaten much that day so I ate something and then felt fine. Ever since, I’ve had waves of anxiety and this feeling of being ‘off’. When I get anxious my appetite goes down massively so it has been difficult to eat things. I am also exclusively breast feeding so am worried that my lack of appetite will damage this. We are FTP so very anxious about every little thing baby boy does. Because I feel weird and off, I am also starting to feel scared and anxious about the fact that I don’t want this to turn into ppa/ppd. I hope it is just baby blues. I am so sleep deprived so it might just be that, I don’t know. I felt fine a few days ago.

OP posts:
Allswellthatendswelll · 12/01/2026 05:17

8 days pp is so early. It is normal to feel very hormonal and odd.
Can your partner do a chunk with baby on him then you get a chunk of sleep? That's the only way we managed in the first weeks.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 12/01/2026 06:04

You are undergoing a massive hormone shift; add on FTP and it's a lot. Holding your baby skin to skin is good for you both as it helps regulate hormones and release oxytocin.
Try to be gentle with yourself and breathe slowly and deliberately when you feel anxiety. Ask for help with baby, chores, meals.
Discuss your concerns with your midwife/HV/GP as well. You might benefit from an antidepressant to help you get through the immediate post partum stage. Remember, it is called the 4th trimester because both you and baby need extra care and attention. 💐🩷

Dairymilkisminging · 12/01/2026 06:10

There's a reason countries use sleep deprivation as torture because it is.
I had a ds like this and he started sleeping longer (never all night untill 3) and I felt so so much better.

Its all still so new give yourselves time but do keep an eye out for any worrying symptoms just in case

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