If you’ve recently welcomed a new baby into your life, you’re likely no stranger to fatigue. Initially, the joy of motherhood may make sleepless nights feel bearable, but even the most enthusiastic new moms can find themselves feeling drained. Here are eight clear signs that you might be an exhausted new mother:
- During a casual chat with your three-year-old about eye colors, they comment, “Daddy has green eyes, I have brown eyes, the baby has blue eyes, and you have red eyes.”
- You find yourself in tears upon realizing that your caffeine fix at 2 PM might be contributing to your breastfed baby’s restlessness.
- When your child-free friend laments her exhaustion from a few late nights and insists on needing a full eight hours to function, you can’t help but wish for her firstborn to experience colic—just a tiny bit of payback.
- While shopping at the grocery store, you run into another mom whose baby is the same age as your sleepless little one. She appears fresh and put together, while you’re sporting yoga pants and a t-shirt you deemed “acceptable” after a quick sniff test. Your baby has been in the same pajamas for two days, but you’re holding out until the next diaper blowout. She mentions her baby is sleeping through the night. You smile and nod, mentally cursing every version of “eff you” you know, all while resisting the urge to push her into the dairy section.
- The next morning, you overhear your partner inviting guests over for brunch, claiming, “Our night wasn’t that bad.” You glance in the mirror and realize you can’t open your left eye—what planet did he sleep on?
- Intimate moments with your partner have transformed into a nightly battle of endurance. Each time the baby cries, you both engage in a game of pretending to be asleep until one of you gives in and attends to the child. If you manage to outlast him, you might score some extra sleep. If not, you dramatically toss off the covers and glare at him for his “sleeping” act.
- Your little one cries every time you try to put him down, meaning he’s always in your arms. When he finally drifts off to sleep in his crib, all you can think about is a bubble bath and a quick read. Just then, you catch your husband’s glance; you pretend not to see it since you’re only capable of using one good eye.
- On one of those long nights, you can’t figure out why your newborn won’t settle. You’ve done everything—fed, rocked, changed, and cuddled—yet he continues to scream. After hours of this, your husband suggests, “Just put him on your boob!” You break down at the thought of another feeding with sore nipples and retort, “You put him on your boob!” You can see him briefly contemplate that suggestion.
For further insights into managing your journey into motherhood, consider checking out our post on home insemination kits. Additionally, for more information on home insemination, visit Impregnator at Home Insemination Kit. If you’re seeking expert advice, Cleveland Clinic’s OB-GYN Time podcast provides excellent resources on pregnancy and fertility preservation.
In summary, being a new mom can be both rewarding and overwhelming. Recognizing the signs of exhaustion is crucial for your well-being. Reach out for support, take breaks when you can, and remember that you are not alone in this journey.
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