Struggling mentally

[baz12]

I LOVE being a mum. Wouldn't change it for the world. But I can't help feeling lost, lonely, and upset more often and not. I also have two reactive dogs that require a lot of support and a partner who works hours away and does 12 hour shifts. My family also live miles away. I see friends thriving being a mum, and I still havnt straightened my hair since giving birth, let alone shaved my legs or achieved anything other than basic hygiene- there's some days I don't do this. My baby also WILL NOT sleep. I feel wrung out. I havnt slept for more that four hours consecutively since he was born 8 months ago and I really feel like I'm reaching breaking point. I love him and I feel like I'm unable to be the mother I want to be, and that he deserves, whilst I'm feeling this way. Is there anyone else who feels this way? Or had come through the other side of it that can offer coping advice. Thank you in advance

Can you get more help with the dogs so you can focus on baby more? Any friends close enough to sit with you while you nap or hold baby while you natter and potter cleaning?

First of all congratulations xx
Also, you are keeping a whole human alive, that's the biggest thing so don't look at the other things as achievement. You are such a loving mum I can tell. I am so sorry you are going through that. I have PND and my boy is 10 week old. I feel for you. Just know we are right now in the thick of it. It will get better! I would advise you to reach out to your GP or health visitor and say how you're feeling and that you need some help. Maybe they can refer you to therapy? Or give you medication? Whichever you feel comfortable with. Could you maybe buy a baby carrier so you can get some stuff done like even making yourself a bowl of cereal and other house bits.One thing I've started to do just to help myself feel this will all pass is sometimes put the baby monitor on and it's linked to my phone so press record and record moments of myself with baby and then I keep them and edit them on Inshot app and also I journal so basically I have memories of these hard times so hopefully one day we can look back and see how far we've come. It keeps me sane. I hope you find things which can help you capture moments with your baby too and remind you that you're doing the best you can. You've got this Mama❤️

I can relate, if I get to brush my hair or clean my teeth I’m lucky. I think a big issue for us is lack of support from other people. We have to be super mum and do everything, when we should be spending this time with our baby and recovering from birth. Is there anyone who can help you eg take baby for half an hour so you can have a nice wash and eat a nice meal?

What happens when your DP is home and now working @baz12? Does he look after LO so that you get a break?