D is for Depression & Diapers

Oh No! I am not saying that my baby’s diapers put me in depression.

Although, that’s how you feel when your baby poops just after you have put a fresh diaper on him. Or when you find out babies go through around 1000 diapers in the first year. It can definitely put you in a state of depression.

But let’s leave the diapers for a few minutes; I will come back to it later. The depression I am talking about is very serious, and many Moms go through it, sometimes even not realizing it.

 I am talking about postpartum depression. The elephant in the room no one wants to talk about. As if ignoring it would stop the pain and suffering of the women going through it.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Depression suffered by a mother following childbirth, typically arising from the combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustment to motherhood, and fatigue.

Though I was fortunate enough not to suffer through it, many women aren’t. Sometimes women don’t even realize they are suffering from postpartum depression. They just feel guilty for not being a happy and cheerful mother everyone expects them to be. Society and social pressure expect them to forget and suppress everything in the name of loving and caring for your baby. 

It’s time to talk about it Mommy, and stop blaming yourself for being human. We all know that the first step to cure is to identify and recognize you have a problem.

What are the symptoms and signs of Postpartum Depression?

• Severe mood swings
• Excessive crying
• Difficulty bonding with your baby even after a few weeks of birth
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Loss of appetite or eating too much
• Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
• Extreme fatigue or loss of energy
• Reduced interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Constant irritability and anger
• Fear that you’re not a good mother
• Hopelessness
• Feelings of shame, guilt, and inadequacy
• Not able to think clearly
• Restlessness
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Treatment for Postpartum Depression

If you have signs of postpartum depression you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. Don’t assume it will go away on your own, it might worsen the condition.

There are two main treatments for postpartum Depression: Medication and Therapy. It depends on individual cases. Either can be used alone or together.

Medication

Your doctor will suggest the required medicines (antidepressants) based on your conditions. Never take any medication without your doctor’s permission. These medications need time to affect, don’t expect sudden results.

Therapy

A psychiatrist or a mental health professional can provide counseling. Therapy helps with negative and destructive thoughts and ways to manage them.

Tips to Survive

• Remember Mommies, there is nothing shameful about it. With the right treatment and care, you can fight and win against postpartum depression.
• Apart from treatment, the support and understanding of spouse and family members also play a major role in fighting and surviving postpartum depression.
• Self-care is a crucial part of fighting depression too. Make yourself a priority, your baby needs his mother healthy and happy.

Now that we have covered the serious topic of postpartum depression, let’s get to a little less serious, but an important part of surviving the first year of motherhood.

Diapers:  A Blessing to a New Mommy

With the frequency with which babies pee and poop, I don’t know how the mothers survived when there were no diapers 15-20 years back.

So what type of diapers is best for babies?

If you are thinking, wait… there are types? Then, the answer is yes.

There are many types of diaper available in the market, and you can choose what’s best for your baby:

• Disposable Diapers
• Taped Diapers
• Pull-ups
• Cloth Diapers
• Pocket Diapers
• All-in-one Diapers
• Contour Diapers
• Pre-folded Diapers

Shocked you? Have I? I bet you didn’t know there are so many types of diapers. Don’t worry, I am not going into the details too.  You can find out about them on Google.

With trial and error, you can find out what type of diaper suits your baby better.

Tips to Survive:

• Always have a diaper rash cream with you, because diapers rashes are common in babies.
• Have some diaper-free time for babies. It’s necessary for preventing infections and healing diaper rashes.

That’s all for today Mommies!

Take care:)

Note : This post is written as a part of #BlogchatterA2Z Challenge for the letter D.