Last Night

Hey everyone backstory here. Husband had to work last night. I was at home with my little one as per usual since I a stay at home Mom. My little one wakes up out of nowhere at three in the morning so naturally, I was thinking that my little one needs to eat, so I fed about 6 ounces and took my little one back to bed. Thought that was the end of it. Oh, I was extremely wrong. The little one starts screaming and crying. Nothing I would do will calm the little one down. I got us both naked and did full body skin to skin. The little one finally calm down after screaming for 3 1/2 hours. After that, my little one took a nap from about 6 to 7:15. Finally, the husband comes home at about 8:10, and I end up breaking down. Now I’m laying here in bed crying my eyes out and writing this post. I feel like a horrible, no good mother. I know I try so hard to not have any anger towards my child, but I think the lack of sleep and the lack of help is getting to me. I don’t know what to do. I need advice of how to manage my stress. My normal routine is to stay home with my child But after tonight, maybe I should start taking time for myself.

Show your support

How old is your child? Those nights are so hard! You can still stay home with them but also take a little time for yourself! I've found that having my husband out our kid to bed on his days off has helped me so much! I can take a bath or go to bed when he's doing that. Also get out of the house alone and do errands. It's amazing how much better you can feel after an hour or so of not being NEEDED or hearing any sort of crying. Crying is so triggering for us moms.

All I have to go off of is this one story but from it I would say you are a very GOOD mother. Here's why: You responded to your baby. You checked for anything immediate causing harm. You did skin to skin. You soothed your child even though it took a long time. You are worried about not being good enough, which means it matters to you that you are, so you're thinking of your baby over yourself. You're questioning how to continue to be a good mother for your child. You're doing SO good! If it keeps happening I would wonder about tummy troubles, my baby had problems there and our pediatrician gave us some things to do to help. Yes, self care! Even just a short amount of time where your partner or another trusted person can watch the baby and let you recenter can do wonders

@CarolAnn my little one is 6 months old and I’m the primary caregiver to our child. I feel guilty having my husband help me on his days off because he goes to work and makes money the least I can do it stay home and let him rest

@Sarah thank you I think I might try to take a few moments to myself . Maybe should enroll myself in yoga

No no no. Your husband is a PARENT as well. Your job is taking care of your baby while he's a "work". Not solely by yourself even when he's home. You both need self care. I'm also a stay at home mom. Dad and baby also need time to bond alone without you. It's healthier for everyone. A lot of the time when you're present the baby won't want dad and only mom. So it's important to leave the house for a bit even if it's just to run errands.

@CarolAnn I might try that, thank you

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌