Struggling, help?

[ashleexex]

my LO is 4 months and I love him to pieces and wouldn't change him for the world.
I'm finding myself struggling, my partner is in work from 9am-8pm most days and other days it's 4am-2pm. Horrible shifts and my family work too. Is it possible to suffer postpartum depression so late after having a baby? I've been fine few emotional phases but fine all in all. Lately I've just been feeling so, tired and empty almost. I get very frustrated at times to a point I have to lay my little one down and just take a few minutes. I'm getting very snappy with my other half which in all fairness he doesn't deserve and I don't want to say I can't cope because I feel like a failure, I love my son and I'm trying to be the best mum I can but I don't feel like I am being and at the end of the day I do feel like I'm slowly failing.
Can anyone relate?

Sounds like you need a break or extra help, any family close by that could help you a few hours each day ? I was the same and it is hard my DS is now 2, speak to health visitor with your concerns with the way your feeling

Yeah I wrote this thread after a nightmare of a day continuing into the night! But yes I'll definitely have to speak to my health visitor possibly, I never know what to say I don't want to sound like I can't cope, I love my son and would never do anything to harm him but it does get abit much alone. I don't want to sound needy as other people need help more than me.

I have a 5year old and a 2 year old and my husband works shifts and also does over time when he can. I work 9-5 Tuesday to Thursday and because of hubby's shifts I tend to be the main care giver. I sympathise with you as I understand it's very hard. I have my job as a break!

Don't feel ashamed about speaking to your HEalth VIsitor as I honestly do not think they will judge you. You are only human and you are understandably under pressure and anyone would feel the way you are feeling.

could you join a parent and baby group?

I can totally relate to this. My boy is 14 months now and I spent a lot of the 6 months feeling inadequate, and just not very good at the old parenting lark.

4 months after birth is not a long time so please give yourself a break, you need to be kind to yourself you are on a very new journey learning about your new baby, learning about parenting stuff and probably a lot of learning about yourself too. Post natal depression can occur much later than 4 months, it's not unusual to set in 6 months + post birth.

Do talk to your health visitor about how your feeling and I second getting to some parent / baby groups etc. Having other new mums to talk stuff through with was my saviour as I realised we were all going through same challenges. I made myself go out everyday even if for a walk just me and babe, met with new mum friends, old friends, family etc.

All the best xx

Hello OP, I think I've just commented on your other thread. I just wanted to add that 4 months postpartum is a really common time to develop pnd. Definitely chat to hv and / or gp: if it is pnd there's a lot that can be done to help.

It sounds as though you are doing a fantastic job, and more or less single-handed as well. Look after yourself

Thank you so much means a lot ❤️❤️ I've finally opened up about it to family and my hv I was afraid of being judged. How silly, so it's looking positive. Thank you all

Good for you ashlee