She may have PPA or PPD. I did and felt the same. If you can afford it, hire someone to come clean. This takes a lot of stress away. Healthy snacks should be readily available. Encourage her to take walks when she can. If she is truly not feeling well consider talking to her dr about some medication.
@Cary
These are fantastic suggestions. Having ready-made food is so helpful. Stay hydrated when postpartum is SO important and can take a toll on mental state. Talk to her doctor about her feelings.
First off, you have everything your baby needs. The early days can be so hard all on your own. If the baby won’t stop crying I take them outside. Fresh air is magical. Take them in a dark room and rock them until they could calm enough to fall asleep. Lastly, if nothing helps, please tell her to allow herself to walk away for a few minutes.
The first 6 months were hard for me. Please hire some help — ask her if household tasks or caring for herself is more helpful. You need at least a couple uninterrupted hours to just breathe without being needed. This is a reason the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Lots of love to your wife .
Get mom some help like a family member or Post-partum Doula.
That sounds pretty common. I imagine she’s not just mentally drained, she’s physically drained. Validate her feelings and be in the trenches with her. Do you have FMLA?
I said many things I didn’t mean in those early days of exhaustion. Lack of sleep does crazy things to the brain. Please support her as best you can; it will pass.
We need moms and dads to be able to take paid leave of 6 months minimum. She just needs support and it’s not something you can provide until you get home from work because the system we live in is broken.
Maybe tell her to not worry about the house stuff during the day and just tend to the baby and rest when the baby naps. Reassure her that it’s ok if the house isn’t tidy until things get better. Order food for her so that she doesn’t have to cook, and take the baby at least an hour after work so she can take a nice shower.
@Grier
I do my best. Until now while she was resting I did all the stuff around, and I left the house today without anything for her to do.
Keller said:
@Grier
I do my best. Until now while she was resting I did all the stuff around, and I left the house today without anything for her to do.
That’s amazing. I’m sure you’re also doing a great job. Hang in there, it’ll get better.
My husband is going on a business trip for three days and I will have our toddler and 5-month-old on my own for the first time. I’m petrified. But my husband let me sleep all of last night without getting up for night feedings and he’s planning to do double duty when he gets back.
11 days is so early in. Make sure your wife is taken care of; she has time to shower, eat, and sleep whenever you can give her a chance to. The good news is, every week gets much better.
Is having a regularly coming babysitter for half a day at least an option? Maybe that could help. You reminding her that she’s still herself but not only a mom would also be helpful in addition to doing house chores and caring for the baby.
And chance you can temporarily reduce your workload and either come home earlier, work from home some days, or even take time off to be at home? It is challenging, and you need to be home to support her.
From my perspective as a mom feeling the same at times, let her vent and hear her out, giving her reassurance that everything will be okay. Don’t be like my husband who just leaves the room instead of being there for me. Be an equal partner.
Offer to clean a little or make some meals. Parenting is hard when you’re tired. I’m 3 months in with a very colicky baby still. Take it one day at a time; it’ll get easier eventually.
You’re in the trenches. 11 days PP is so hard. When you are home, do as much as you can. Take the baby so she can shower, nap, or whatever she needs to do. Reassure her that she’s doing great, and remind her this is temporary.
Are there any tasks she is handling aside from the baby? You can set things up in advance to ease her load. Small gestures can boost morale. I’m 4 weeks PP, sending solidarity!
Hi! I’m a first-time mom and we are on day 14! The first couple of days I felt alone, but once I asked for help, my husband met me where I was. Hope this helps; know that it gets better!