Struggling with how relentless this all is...

[newmum1212]

I have a 2 week old and the last few days has really hit me. The feeding and lack of sleep is constant, I can't see how or when it's going to get better. I spent last night crying as I fed my baby because I was so tired. I try to nap in the day but doesn't seem possible as baby is always feeding. At what stage does this ease up? Losing my mind already.

I really feel for you - the first few weeks especially are a blur. It might not feel like it but it will get better. When my son was born we literally had to hold him all night as he refused to be put down. I was so scared it would never get better but he did start to sleep in his crib at night. The feeding also becomes less relentless but unfortunately they need to do lots of cluster feeding before that happens. There are still lots of challenges as they get older but it will get easier than the newborn stage. Have you got any family/friends who could help you out?

You poor thing. You are in the hardest part now, don't give up! I was you so recently, and my daughter is nearly five months old and it's unrecognisably easier than the first few weeks. I promise it gets easier, and sooner than you think (things got fractionally easier at 6 weeks for us, then easier again at 11/12 weeks) but for now, I know that seems impossibly far away, so just commit to getting through the next hour, the next ten minutes if you have to. You can do it.

In the early weeks I really thought id ruined my life, it was hell. It slowly gets better but id caution against waiting for a sudden lightening bolt change at 6 weeks/12 weeks. In general I found very gradually feeds got shorter, digestion was better and sleep/naps got easier, this had happened by 8 or so weeks. Just hang on in there and be kind to yourself. If you sit on the sofa all day eating crisps, thats ok! Still in pj's at dinner time? Also ok!

Agreed, it's definitely not a lightning bolt change, you just go day by day and gradually realise that it was less hard today than last week. It's more a fog gradually lifting than the sun suddenly breaking through.

2 weeks is tough because that's when the sleepless nights are starting to catch up with you. If you have anyone that you trust, ask them to come round during the day send them out with the baby in the sling for a walk for an hour if that's what you need to get sleep. Most people will respond positively if you reach out to them. I also went to bed at 7pm and got a few uninterrupted hours of sleep while DH held the baby.

If you continue feeling this way, speak to the GP. I went of sertraline at 6 weeks and it made the world of difference.

Mine got a lot easier at 8 weeks. The newborn stage is really, really hard, you're doing a great job.