Feeling restless after having baby

[Pastaabake]

I had a baby a few days ago. Since then I have been feeling very restless

The day after having the baby, I just felt an urge to go out (just to the local shops) but I didn't as it was too cold, plus my legs felt like jelly and also there was nothing I needed really - it also felt far too soon to be taking him out into the cold for no reason

Dh has been a great support and helped out with everything which helps me physically and he's also trying to keep me in good spirits mentally but I can't shake this restless feeling for some weird reason

It has been a few days now and I just want to feel normal again. I don't want to feel this weird emptiness/restlessness because it doesn't make sense. I don't feel down or anything, it's more that i'm struggling to just sit with myself and be still (mentally)

Just needed a place to talk x thanks for reading

The first two weeks are weird. In fact, the first three days of those first two weeks are really, really weird. If you feel like going out though, do. If you're really worried about the cold put the raincover on the buggy and it'll act as a little greenhouse, but he'd be fine without (unless you're in Finland, where I believe it's already -21°C).

You might be in shock lovely, it happens after having a baby x Feeling weird, lucid but distant, jelly legs, feeling cold can all be shock. Your body has been through a huge trauma giving birth. Don't worry about feeling normal again yet, just give yourself a little while to adjust. You will get there x

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean thank you. That's really reassuring to hear that it can be normal for the first 2 weeks to feel weird. That's exactly how i'd put it. Even though we are home and everything looks the same.. it feels foreign. We will be going to register the birth tomorrow so will give us something to do

Yeah the hormones being all over the place definitely makes you feel weird for a couple of weeks. I took my little one out when he was 2 days old and it was freezing out but as pp said, wrap him up and pop the rain cover on buggy and go to the shop if you want. Newborns are pretty boring so if you're feeling restless and going out would make you feel better then go for it. Congratulations on your little one 😊

@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight thank you so much for your kind words. Yes it was a very quick birth so my mind is still processing it. I really appreciate your replies as they make me feel like it's all normal. I will take my time to adjust and not rush x

It's a shock to the system. Nine months incubation doesn't really prepare you for the reality! I went out every day for a long walk (weather was nicer though), joined the local post natal group when baby was three weeks... I'm normally a real homebody but I just had to get out!

@Devilsmommy 🤣🤣 I was actually going to say that too. All he does right now is briefly wake for a feed/nappy change and goes straight back to sleep which of course is expected but at the same time a bit boring lol! Husband is off for a few days so will make the most of popping out if I feel I want to

I felt weird for a lot longer than two weeks... probably three months? Sleep deprivation doesn't help, and your body has been through a huge event.

If you want to go out, just go. Baby will be ok wrapped up or in a sling next to you.

Having a baby made me feel very, very trapped. You can't just get up and go out if you feel like it, you have so much to do with the baby that can't wait, so you're looking for that window when you can leave the house. You do get used to it, I promise. But it's weird.

Try to remember that there are very few things you absolutely can't do, but everything will take a bit more planning. You can wander round the shops, go for lunch, even go to the cinema if there's one near you that does parent and baby showings (best thing ever invented). You can go for a long, foresty walk if you want, or stay at home and watch all of Game Of Thrones back to back. At this stage they just need feeding and changing, and I found that much easier than when the little sods need entertainment!

I felt like it was completely foreign too. I suppose life completely changes

Everything feels so weird at first. For me I cried constantly on day 3, for no reason except hormones. Couldn't get through a sentence!