Baby blues or lack of sleep / hormones? Advice for a first time mum please

[PeachyGreen95]

6 days ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl (c section, bit of a lengthy process in hospital for 4 days & nights beforehand so was already struggling with sleep). I’m absolutely fine with the baby in the day but when the night rolls around I get extremely anxious, I worry about everything, plus she doesn’t like to be put down at night so struggling with lack of sleep. My partner and I are trying to split the night into ‘shifts’ but I really hate being left alone with her as the anxiety is awful. Is this normal? Does anyone have any tips for a first time mum?

Congratulations! I felt the same in the beginning. My DD wasn't really sleeping at night time that well but then daytime she was catching up. My sleep starvation was really bad and I dreaded the nights. I get anxiety even thinking about those times now 18 months later. To me what you are describing is normal and it will get better. Your baby is still very young so she has lots to develop and learn. What I wish I had known about when I had my DD was wake windows. Once I understood them it helped me so much as it gave me structure and helped me to get through the days. It took lot of the pressure and anxiety off for me. It's freaking hard in the beginning but I promise you it will get easier and better as time goes by.

As above, this is completely normal.

focus on getting as much rest as you can. Sleep when baby sleeps. It really does help. The night anxiety was the first anxiety I had ever experienced in my life. It’s a horrible feeling. But as soon a day broke I was completely fine.

it sounds like you are doing just fine to me and all seems normal for 6 days in. It does get easier over time.

Rest up and enjoy your new baby. Be selfish and protective of your time too. Visitors can wait. The house can wait.

Congrats