post natal depression

[new1mum]

i had a son 5 months back and the time has flown so far, what with feeds and nappy changes. as the baby is settling i have started feeling low. and often feel incompetenet as a mother. any suggestions?

My first suggestion is to cut yourself some slack, as we all feel like that. You are doing a fantastic job, it's just that parenthood is so damn hard.

Can you elaborate on why you're feeling bad? Does ds sleep well? Are you maybe getting fed up with being at home? Could you get out more, would you like to think about returning to work maybe?

It might be worth talking it over with your hv, so he/she can do the PND 'test' on you and see if you are scoring highly. Keep talking on Mumsnet, though, people will be able to help.

And congratulations on ds' arrival!

thanks for the message, ds is now more or less following a routine - as much as a baby can, with all the growing up.

i have worked ful time at a demanding job for 10 years now. this is the first break from work in 10 years, sitting at home feels strange. if the day doesn't got well with ds then i catch myself thinking - how come i can do my job and not this. that is when i start feeling incompetent. i know it is unreasonable to think so but i can't help muself.