*May Contain Affiliate Links*
Recently we are starting to give more attention to post-natal depression and it is about time! There is a more quite cousin to post-natal depression though that is still often going unspoken of and unaddressed.The whole biological response to breastfeeding is somewhat addictive due to the bonding hormones released. These hormones not only help you and your baby bond, but they also make you feel really good! Like anything else that makes us feel really good, when we stop having access to that feeling, it can lead to depression. While gentle weaning can help (look for future posts on this), there are additional steps that you can take to help make this transition easier.
Exercise
I know this is not really what you want t hear, especially if you are depressed, but a little know fact, exercise releases those "feel good" hormones too! You do not have to go all out, just get moving daily and if you can couple this with some time in nature!
Sleep
You are most likely in a sleep deficit, and not that your baby is weaned it is time to get this area back to normal (at least as much as possible). Start by setting a firm routine for both you and your children, make a clear transition to bed time and limit distraction activities such as TV and Phone in those hours before bed. Regular sleep habit will help regulate your hormones and put you on the path to feeling like yourself again.
Stimulants
While it is perfectly fine to enjoy your morning coffee or the occasional sweet treat, you need to be careful about "overstimulating". It is easy to use caffeine and sweets as a crutch when you are feeling down, but in the long run these will only make you more irritable and out of sorts.
Fats
You might be trying to loose that last bit of baby weight at this point, but fats are essential to balancing your hormones. Fortunately quality Monounsaturated fats will not sabotage your efforts, in fact they may help. So make sure you are including them in your diet!
Love Hormones
In a nutshell, find your "fix" somewhere else. Now is a great time to reconnect with your partner and schedule in some sexy fun, or just simply replace what was your before bed nursing session with a cuddle and story session with your little one instead.
Be gentle with yourself and take care of you! This too shall pass and if you feel you need professional help do not hesitate to reach out, these feelings are common and help is available!
Comments