Struggling with increased insecurities since baby born

[Bjones123]

I have a lovely 4.5 week old baby and I'm a first time mum.

I've always struggled with lots of insecurities about myself - both body image and low self worth about being good enough in work, abilities and relationships. I've had therapy in the past which had helped me address a lot of my negative thinking and schemas.

Since my baby has been born this has been getting worse. I've been constantly thinking I'm not doing a good enough job of being a mother, baby had to be born via emergency c-section, tongue tie has caused huge delay (still ongoing) with breastfeeding. Feeling like I'm not being a good enough girlfriend and that my partner will leave me to find someone better, and then there's the body issues.

Anyone got any tips on overcoming some of this? I feel so run down due to lack of sleep and not really doing much which I hate and causes me to not be able to rationalise my thoughts very well

Congratulations on your baby.

You are doing a great job! It's so hard when you're completely sleep deprived and still getting over what's just happened. It takes time but everything settles soon enough: your baby, your relationship, your body, your confidence.

It might be worth a chat with your HV/GP - they might be able to point you towards more support if you feel you need it.

Oh lovely. Being a new Mum is so hard and doing it while you are recovering from major emergency surgery makes it so much harder to deal with.

Have you spoke to your partner about how you feel? It’s a good idea to see the GP. I saw the maternal mental health team after the birth of my first DD and during my second pregnancy and they were absolutely amazing.

Congratulations on your new baby. I totally hear you on the emotions. They will be all over the place for the next long while until hormones settle. I was forced to stop breastfeeding after 3 months due to babies allergies and incompetent doctors and I became such a mess. Please speak to your go now. Don't let a small issue become something more. It may just be hormones but it may be the starts of PND. I took an anti depressant for 3 months and it made such a massive difference to help 're regulate' my hormones. Sleep deprivation will play a huge part also. Ask for help and try to rest up while you can. Trust me, every new mum feels like this, you are doing great! Your baby is lucky to have someone who cares so much x