Baby blues / sleep deprivation - help

[cr1479]

Hi everyone- I am in desperate need of some advice/to hear other people's experiences.
I have my DS who is 7yrs old and I've just had my DD 8 days ago. My pregnancy/labour with my DS was absolutely fine but with DD it has been really hard from start to finish. I have been so eagerly awaiting her arrival so that I could start to feel better! However ever since she was born I've just felt so down. My labour was very very fast and I felt so scared, I don't think my brain could catch up quick enough. I don't know if this has anything to do with how I feel.
I'm also breastfeeding her, I found it really hard for the first few days however it is starting to get easier in terms of pain but it makes it really difficult for me as no one can have her for longer than an hour or two. She's feeding constantly throughout the night which means I'm getting little to no sleep even though I'm co sleeping.
I'm starting to wonder if bottle feeding her would help?
I've started combination feeding where my OH will give her a bottle at about 10 and stay with her downstairs so I can sleep. But I still think I'm not getting enough sleep.
She only sleeps in our arms which doesn't help either.
I'm just really struggling with how I'm feeling. I cry all the time at anything and most of the time I couldn't tell you why I was crying.
I often find myself mourning my old life and wondering why on earth I have done this to myself. Which is awful because my DD was so so wanted and I really love her.
I'm also panicking about how I will cope once my OH goes back to work as we are in no routine as he's the only reason I get any sleep.
So sorry for the ramblings, I just wondered if anyone has any advice or experiences that could help?
Thanks in advance x

I think you maybe forget after a while what the birth and newborn experience is really like, maybe you're a bit in shock? I definitely was after I had my first. I was really struggling in the first couple of weeks.

My midwife, who was amazing and also taught me properly how to BF, came round to see me and sent me to bed for 24 hours straight with the baby. She told me the only time I could get up was to go to the loo. My DH had to make all my meals, bring them to me in bed and change the baby's nappy each time.

DH took the baby between feeds in the daytime. She would sleep for short periods in her Moses basket but mainly wanted holding so I only slept on and off but most importantly I was properly resting. I felt SO much better though when I did get up. Still extremely tired, which is normal, but I didn't feel I was completely losing the plot any more. I did the same when DC2 was born and have shared that piece of advice where I can since.

You really need to go easy on yourself these first few weeks it's a really difficult time physically and mentally. You will feel better soon though.

It will get better! She’s still so new but when you’re in the middle of it, it’s hard to see the sleeplessness and exhaustion ever ending. It will end. My little boy is 9 weeks and it’s getting easier. I found the 2 hourly wake ups a killer and the lack of routine chaotic. But slowly, without you even realising, things start to shift. He’s sussing out night from day, sleeping in longer stretches at night and is more predictable during the day. We’re better at knowing what he wants and we’re all happier for it. It will get better. If you decide to swap to formula, don’t beat yourself up. Do what works best for you and your baby.

Thanks for replying! It is nice to know that I'm not alone and that it will end. I think it is the chaos of it all and lack of routine that I'm struggling with and also the fact that I have my DS so I can't always just sleep, I have school runs etc and also just need to factor in seeing him. It's exhausting!
I think that's the major difference this time round, I can't just concentrate 100% on myself and DD.
Maybe I just need to give myself time to adjust to my new normal?

Bless you baby blues are really bad. I had it too. Like you said you feel upset for no reason at the time I struggled with BF and that used to be on my mind alot. Thankfully my husband was very supportive and helped me get past my worries. It went away within 2 weeks. I think its due yo pregnancy hormones and any medication leaving your body.