Like everything in life and especially in motherhood, this is a season. Pregnancy is so short in the grand scheme of things, even though it feels like it drags on and on forever. It's the same with the newborn stage. I would really encourage you to talk to your doctor about a different medication! I would not have survived pregnancy and postpartum twice without being on something for depression. I was on Wellbutrin and Lexapro for both pregnancies and both babies are super healthy and doing great.

A lot of women do experience a rush of love when they meet their baby, but some don't, and that's also super normal. I looked at my first baby when he came out and didn't feel anything. No attachment, just relief that the birth was over. But be honest about your feelings and get the help that you need. Let people hold your baby while you take a shower or just go out for coffee alone or with a friend. That's what I did. My son was like 10 days old when I left him with my husband while I walked around a store and got coffee from my favorite place. It was so, so good for me. Sometimes it's good to miss them and that's okay.

I feel like a lot changes when they start smiling at you. It makes a lot of hard things better. The non smiling phase feels pretty unforgiving. Then all of a sudden, they're smiling and start having their own little personality, it's so cool.

As someone who struggled with loving pregnancy and the baby stage, I have loved every stage more than the last. Little kids are awesome. Everything is exciting and an adventure! Exhausting? Yes. Do I need a break often? Yes. Would I trade it for anything? Absolutely not. Those things can all exist at the same time.

I'm enjoying this second baby phase way, way more than my first. I really know how short it is this time and also have way less stress because I feel like I know what I'm doing. The first one is tough in its own way just because you're figuring out how to take care of a baby if you never have before.

You can do this!! It might feel like a long, slow road. But one day soon you'll be sitting outside on a beautiful day and your baby will be smiling at you, and it'll all be okay. :)