Tips for managing anxious thoughts about baby coming to harm?

[Mummyofmay2020]

I remember reading imagining extreme situations of harm occuring could be a biological instinct - a way to do a risk assessment of environment and keep baby safe. However, it can be really quite horrible thinking of terrible things that can happen to my baby who is so little, vulnerable and sweet. E.g. sometimes I'll think oh my god, did I turn off the hob, what if house catches fire and I'm stuck in a burning room with my baby? Or what if someone tries to kidnap my baby. Or what if my baby catches covid. Sometimes i just can't believe such cruel twisted people exist who could hurt babies. Becoming a mum has really made me aware of how fragile and precious life is. All I want to do is keep her safe but I don't want anxiety to rule my life or stop us from enjoying things. I always loved theme parks for example , now i would slightly worry at thought of my baby going on big rides when they're older in case of an accident. I do try keep such thoughts in check by trying to remind myself that as long as I've taken precautions and done what's in my control, risks are minimal. Any other tips for striking a balance ?

This sounds like post natal anxiety - I’ve been diagnosed with this alongside pnd. The only thing that works for me is distraction, when I start thinking this kind of thing I have to derail the train of thought by doing something else - reading a book, cooking, anything other than just sitting thinking about it. It is a big scary world out there but you can’t do anything about it so try your best not to worry. Just remember you’re worried because you’re a good mum, and that will help to keep her safe 😊

Watching with interest because I feel very similar.

My son almost died during his birth and then again when a few weeks old.

Five months later and I wake up at least once an hour to check him at night. I stop every five minutes on walks. Etc etc

Hope you don’t mind me piggy backing for any tips!

I had these kind of thoughts. Believe it or not they are completely normal. It’s called intrusive thoughts, everyone has them but when you are a new mum they are amplified by a billion and can be really scary, and their content is disturbing which means we often keep them to ourselves and they can end up taking over with disastrous consequences. Rather than try to shut them out, you need to face them head on and deal with them, then they will become much smaller in your head. The technique do that is called thought defusion and you can learn how to do it here

I also recommend watching this webinar

www.instagram.com/tv/CCWoFeHF4Me/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

You will see that you are NOT alone and that these thoughts are super easy to deal with once you understand what they are. Best of luck xx

Omg this is me! I’m sorry you’re going through it too OP. I worry about literally everything and have awful intrusive thoughts.

Has anyone tried medication? My GP has suggested it but I’m reluctant, as I don’t want to be an altered version of myself. X