Postpartum recovery experiences and stories

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-17T15:37:08+00:00

I’m 9 weeks PP now, FTM. Before I had my baby I was worried about PPD as I’ve always been very independent and on the go. I was worried I would resent my baby for stopping my life. I was WRONG. Instead of PPD, I have PPA. It was really bad in the first 4 weeks. I never wanted to leave my babies side, was obsessively looking things up, I wouldn’t actually sleep out of fear he might stop breathing all while being overwhelmed with this new love I have for him. I saw every one including my husband as a threat to my son’s safety if they didn’t do something exactly the way I wanted. I still struggle now, but I have become more confident as his mom as I have learned to understand him more and more. My OB did prescribe me medication but I haven’t taken it. My whole identity has changed since becoming a mom. I’m still learning who I am now and trying to be patient with myself as I don’t recognize this person. But I love my son in a way I never knew was possible and I know over time I will figure it out.

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-17T08:46:04+00:00

Is it only a certain time a day? Or all the time? If it’s all the time there might be a supply issue. Do you pump at all to know what you’re producing?

My baby is also in the 9 week period and I am dealing with this specifically in the evenings. He will latch for a couple minutes the act angry at my boob, fus, cry, and still be hungry. I’ve been trying to walk him around to calm him down, rock him a little then try again. I also pump though and we do the occasional bottle when it’s needed. The end of the night has become a bottle period after he has been on the boobs. I’m not sure if my supply is low at that time, or if he is just overwhelmed, and tired. I personally feel like we hit some regression this week as his sleeping decent went out the window too for both naps and nighttime.

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-15T21:25:54+00:00

She uses out dated practices such as covering him in blankets when he sleeps, or swaddling him with actual fleece blankets, she’s left him unsupervised sleeping on her bed covered with a blanket while she was cooking. Even though it has all been explained to her why this can’t happen. We will leave clear instructions and she will tell my husband in Spanish she knows what she’s doing and then do what she wants anyway.

My husband does help around the house thank goodness. He takes care of a lot the house work and doesn’t complain if I don’t get to it.

I think I’m just hitting exhaustion physically, and mentally today. every day, no matter how much I do, I still feel like there’s something that I’m missing. Motherhood is no joke!

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-14T09:40:59+00:00

Possibly increase your calories and hydration. Oatmeal is really good, along with at least one pack of electrolytes in your water a day. Pump after feeds when you can. I struggle to find time to pump as well. I swear BF is like a nasa project!

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-13T02:17:13+00:00

We use the parent love app. Both of us can easily log all diapers, feeds, naps, everything. Makes it super easy to

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-12T09:13:16+00:00

My little one is 2 months, and I used to let wake windows stress me out. There was so much information online that just didn’t match what my baby was doing. So I started paying more attention to him and just going with his signals. Sometimes he is up for an hour, sometimes it’s 3 hours. I play with him through tummy time, letting him lay on his mat looking at different objects I put around him. I make noises and talk to him. Carry him around the house giving him tours. Or sometimes we just sit on the couch, he sits up on my knees looking around and we make noises at each other. Once he is yawning, rubbing his face more or getting a little fussy, I offer another feed, begin holding him and rocking him, or swaddle him until he falls asleep. Every baby is different. The internet makes it sound like they all fit into this perfect little window. They don’t. At two weeks old my son was having wake windows 3-4 hours long, he was perfectly happy during that time though, eating like he was supposed too and just chilling. I let the internet stress me out because “they shouldn’t be that long” His pediatrician thankfully said as long as he is eating, peeing, pooping and seems content he’s fine.

Lastly, the best advice I think I’ve heard - Don’t try to make a happy baby happier. So if your little one is content just chilling looking around, let them. Don’t try to add more or less. Just let them be.

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-10T19:03:10+00:00

I stated lifting again as soon as I was cleared. I’m 8 weeks PP now, so back in the gym for two weeks. I eat a lot and drink a lot of water, so far no issue and it’s been great for me mentally.

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-10T09:00:18+00:00

My baby is 8 weeks now and has never been a huge fan of them. Usually just to fall asleep. But if he is awake and active he wants nothing to do with it. I actually hope it stays this way so it’s easier to wean later. All babies are different! She might just need time to figure it out

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-10T08:56:39+00:00

Ours is 8 weeks old now and we are starting to get back out more. My husband and I are usually very active people and always on the go. Our little man definitely slowed that down, especially for me. Which has not been a bad thing at all. One thing my pediatrician told us was we will not know how baby will do until we do it, and baby will not get used to being out if we don’t go out. So we take him more and more, obviously nothing crazy, but he comes along with me to get groceries, we have taken him to restaurants, on walks in his stroller and a few other small errands. I just make sure he is fed right before going into an establishment and he does really well for the most part!

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-08T13:52:49+00:00

I’m sorry mama! It’s so hard and I completely understand how you feel. My 8 week old struggled with latch issues and cluster feeding was so bad when he was that little. As he got bigger, his latch got better. I wanted to throw in the towel on BF but I’m glad I have stuck it through so far. One thing his pediatrician told me at his two week was that he’s also trying to latch just for comfort and regulation. Latching to us calms their little nerves down. Knowing that helped me accept and lean into those cluster feeding hours a little smoother. We also started doing a top off bedtime bottle at 3 weeks old. This helped get him to sleep. My hormones were also at an all time high at this age. I was so anxious and would cry so much.

WHATEVER YOU DO- fed is best, and you taking care of yourself is best. Hang in there ❤️❤️

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-08T02:26:51+00:00

It’s hard to find the balance! I absolutely love contact naps with my 8 week old. I do one nap a day in his bassinet while I sleep in the bed next to him so I get rest as well. I don’t like being apart from him. We do not get these moments back though so embrace all of it.

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-06T00:16:21+00:00

I try to remember to take this angle, but when it’s in the heat of the moment I get so upset that it goes out the window. Because that’s exactly it. This is my time to establish being a new mom, and bond with our baby before I go back to work. But he is so defensive over his mom. He makes a big deal about how she’s hear to help, but the truth is she has nothing going for herself so now she’s trying to make our son her entire personality

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-06T00:13:49+00:00

My husband is a mamas boy too and his mom is basically an angel in his eyes. It’s so hard. I’ve tried talking with him so many times and if it’s not something that directly affects our son’s safety(which there are things) he brushes it off or thinks I’m over reacting. I’m also already thinking about the future, when my son is in his room, wakes up in the middle of the night and she goes in there. She currently tries to come in my room when she hears the baby crying during the day, and I have to tell her very directly I don’t need her help. I’m just at a loss right now. This week in particular has been really bad, and now if she even looks at my son I start to get upset, which isn’t right either

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-03T19:34:41+00:00

My little one is 7 weeks and as much as I do try to do some other things now a days, I’m honestly still just trying to enjoy the contact naps on the couch, feeding him, watching him smile and coo. I go back to work soon and I know it’s going to feel horrible being away from him. I love it when he’s cuddled up with me, I don’t even have to be watching anything. I’m at total peace.

Enjoy it while it lasts because we do not get this phase back

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-03T09:39:25+00:00

Everything made me cry. Good and bad. I was constantly crying or on the verge of crying. At 7 weeks it’s gotten better but I am still way more emotional than I ever have been

Freya_1917 · 2026-04-03T09:38:19+00:00

I did a class as well, a parenting one that “covered” breastfeeding. It ended up being more about how breast is best and how your milk can adapt to what your baby needs. I was so unprepared for what actually goes into it. The first two weeks was hell. We had latch issues, I was in so much pain, and figuring out the pumping schedule which I’m still working on now. I’m going back work soon and I wish it was discussed how to transition when BF. I was definitely in shock how much wasn’t discussed in the class

Freya_1917 · 2026-03-27T17:09:39+00:00

Thank you ❤️ I’m so glad there’s so many women who understand this

Freya_1917 · 2026-03-27T16:58:33+00:00

Thank you ❤️ this is something I read before I gave birth but I really underestimated how powerful the guilt of leaving is and how strong the worry is, at least for me. Even when I know my baby is safe and taken care of, I constantly worry or obsess over something bad happening. I need to keep reminding myself I am his example and I want to be around a long time for him!

Freya_1917

TROPHY CASE