How Long After Birth Were You Feeling Back to Yourself...

I'm with MzKitty! I am still waiting to feel back to normal and have more energy (mine are 4 and 5 1/2). You just have to do it, if you are physically able.

I'll let you know when it happens. I am 1yr post partum and I still dont feel the same as I did before my kids were born. It takes a few weeks before you will feel ready to start doing all the things you did before baby.

My kids are 11 and 8 and I still don't feel back to myself! Lol!!!

With my first, it took about 2 weeks before I balanced out and started to "get a grip". :) Got showered, dressed and thought about getting out.

With my second, as soon as we got home from the hospital.

I guess once you have your second (or more), you realize that life doesn't stop for childbirth, and the little ones you already have won't wait. It's just an adjustment thing.

With me, I had really bad post-partum depression for a year to the day after my son was born. I found that when we both went for a walk, we stopped crying at each other and we felt better for the rest of the day. My son was born in October and we walked the whole bitter-cold winter long. It was good for both of us. Definately, try to make the effort to get out. I know. I've been there, that the last thing you want to do is be seen some days, but take a shower and put on a little makeup (if you normally do so) even if you are staying home. When you feel human you will feel more like you can take on the day. If your baby cries when you put him down, bring him into the bathroom with you while you shower. If he is fed, dry, and comfy, it won't hurt him to cry for 5-10 minutes while you wash off baby slime and put on mascara. Talk and sing to him so he knows you are there. It will benefit you both when you feel human and calm.
BTW I had a c-section, so it was a few weeks (maybe 3) before I could even take a short walk to get the mail, but once I could, we did not stop.

My youngest is 20 months old and I'm STILL not myself ;) I'm going to stay weird and air-headed forever!!

Seriously though, don't give yourself a time limit. It takes about 4-6 months (when baby is finally starting to SLEEP at night) until you really, genuinely get into the new groove of things.

Take baby steps. Kids don't come with manuals, and it's a lot of trial and error. Congrats on the newbie, and don't forget to breathe when you get overwhelmed :)

Hi

First congratulations on your new little one!! Second every person is different with my first it took me about 10 or so days and then with my second it only took me a few days. Take it how it comes for you, don't over do it either.

Best wishes to you and enjoy them time goes by to fast my little girl started kindergarten today!

I didn't do much outside of the house for the first couple of weeks - although I enjoyed opening up the doors and letting in the sunshine. When I became a little more comfortable with my son, I took him to the grocery store, on short walks and stuff like that. Shortly thereafter, I found it very difficult to get out (while orchestrating naps and being tired myself). I was motivated enough to get out to a mom's group once a week that dealt with nursing issues and to a few free mother's classes (like baby sign, etc.), as well as to church, but for the most part I became a little hermitic - it kind of felt natural to want to hole up with my baby until he was 9 months or so. If my mother-in-law hadn't moved in with us, I probably would spend a lot more time at home...I think it is natural.

I was the first person in my generation I knew who had kids. My mum, my best fried (51 at the time, I was 23), EVERY mother I knew had already raised their kids, and they said: "2 years".

Low and behold. The DAY I really felt like "myself" again? 2 years later.

Granted; I did all kinds of things (like go to school, cook, meet friends, move, shop, etc.) from week 1 onward (actually 11 days was kind of a magic number for me... the dinosaur farts had stopped by then)... but it wasn't until 2 years later that I actually went "Whoa! I'm me'self again. Darnit! They were right!!"

Around 2 yrs darling !!sorry !! lol My son is 4yrs now.
Now at 30 weeks I have to start all over again.
After 6 weeks though I felt the psychological stuff ease and I relaxed alot more.
Welcome to motherhood.
B. k

if you feel up to it then go out, but dont plan on anything major unless you really have some energy. i'm not much help because i had c-sections with mine and wasnt up for much walking other than just getting around the house for awhile. Congratulations on your new baby!!

What my midwife told me after the birth of my second, as far as doing things is concerned, is that the first week, you are allowed to do 1 thing a day -- that can be a walk, making a meal, etc -- something that isn't resting and taking care of your baby. The second week, you can do 2 things, and the third week, 3. After that, you can do what you feel up to. Except -- if your bleeding increases or turns a brighter shade of red, that means you've overdone it and you should go back a step for a day or two, and get a lot of rest.

2 1/2 years.......still waiting

With my twins it was about three to four weeks. When my singleton was just born, I was out and about at a week, feeling like myself.

When you feel up to it, try to get out. I remember my saving grace was going to Target, getting some popcorn and just walking around. I may have spent more money that I needed to at the time, but it was nice to get out with the baby and feel like I was part of the world again!

I also had Post Partum Depression...hid it until he was 6 months old. It has been 4 1/2 years and I still don't remember much of the first 6 months which is sad. Watch out for it...talk with your doctor about feelings etc. Try to get out and join the world like walking around the mall to showcase your new little one!!

My son is 18 months and I'm not feeling like myself... Tired, overwhelm, gained weight and do not have the strength to loose it... and the list is not over...
Good luck N.

I don't think you ever feel normal again, this is the new normal. 9 days is way too soon to feel anything other than tired and sore.

With my first I think I had a bit of PPD. Everything changed so suddenly and she was a colicy baby which made it harder. For me forcing myself to get dressed and brush my teeth helped so much! I would reccomend taking baby out in the stroller for at least 1 or 2 short walks each day. It will make you feel better to be out in the fresh air. Just make sure baby doesn't get to hot, make sure stroller is shaded and just a onesie for LO. I would walk morning and evening, when it's not so warm.
If you feel up to it you can take a trip to the store, but I don't think you need to yet. Give yourself some time. Don't they reccomend that the first child doesn't leave the house much in the first month or two anyway? Don't push yourself into anything you aren't ready for.

I can 100% tell you my second child was a little angel! She is amazing! I started working (babysitting from home) again when she was a week old. She has slept through the night since day 1 and is the happiest little cuddle bug you will ever see! I know I'm bragging but I just want to let you know newborns aren't always difficult. After my first it's a wonder I ever let my husband talk me into another child, but I am so glad he did!

You've gotten some really good answers - everybody is different; there is no "protocol" per say, but I'd say if you're still achy, you should take it easy. The body changes so much when pregnant and for delivery. At the very least, you could sit outside for a little while and get fresh air/sunshine. Does the soul a world of good! Congrats and take care of yourself!

I think it depends on how well you are sleeping and it's all different for each individual. Take it easy Mama... save your energy for taking care of your baby and yourself.
Congratulations!!

My daughter was a forecept delivery.. 16 hours of labor.. lots of stitches.. I was not myself for at least 2 weeks. I was still sore after 6 weeks.

My son was an easy delivery.. 5 total hours.. 2 stitches.. I walked to the park 3 days after he was born..

So it depends.. on how hard the birht was..but yes a short outside walk will help your mood and your body.

Didn't read the other posts. Someone asked this question a long while ago. First off, do what YOU feel like you want to. There are no rules to baby or what you should or shouldn't do. Go with the flow and throw those sometimes unrealistic expectations out the window. (I wish someone would have told me that!) Secondly, as far as feeling better and having energy, that is different for all of us. But for me (and many others who posted the last time it was asked), it is when you finally get enough sleep on a regular basis. That was a few months to 1 year with my first and around 1 year to 16 months (she is 16 months) with my second. I can't say I'm back to 100% because not every night do I get a full night's sleep. I am still dealing with hormone changes since I weaned my DD 4 months ago.

I know that all sounds sooooo far off, but in reality it isn't. Take care of yourself and ask for help and accept it when you need it. Try to get out one evening a week by yourself, even if it is just for a little bit or to go to the grocery store ALONE! Daddy and baby need to learn they can live without you, too. Congrats!