Natural remedies for PPD?

[Ronni]

Hi everyone. I am 7 months pregnant with my second child. I had post-partum depression with my first, and I am scared to death that it will happen again. The first time, I did not receive any help and this time I am looking for (ahead of time) something that is natural (herbs, perhaps?) that I can have on hand in case it happens again. I will be breastfeeding, so I need something that is safe enough for that as well.

Ronni

[b&pmom]

Had that too with my first. It was aweful.

Everything was fine with my second. However, I was very careful.

The #1 most important thing was SLEEP! Luckily my oldest was still a napper..so we all napped together in the afternoon. I would offer my newborn food (breast ) throughout the day at regular intervals (about 2 1/2 to 3 hours) rather than waiting for her to cry from hunger. It seemed to help her be satisfied without a lot of night feeds...and we did not have a lot of crying in the house.

#2... SHOWER< SHOWER>SHOWER...every morning...first thing. I would get up, feed baby and shower immediately. It helped a lot to be dressed (make up too), and into life. I find sitting around in PJ's to be very depressing.

#3 Eat healthy snacks often.

#4 Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy. DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!

I had absolutely NO PPD with my second child.

[Ronni]

Thank you so much, b&pmom. I've been really worried, mainly because I remember reading that PPD worsens with each baby a woman has. So, you've given me hope!

I do plan to do things differently this time, mainly with the sleeping part. With my first son, I swear I never got to sleep, since DH wouldn't let me nurse him in our bed (he didn't want to wake up!) so I'd have to walk out into the living room to nurse him, change him, and then go back to bed. Six times a night for how long? I don't even know! This time, I'm nursing in the bed.

Thanks again for your advice...I hope it works for me too!

Ronni

[kjmckenzie]

I think sleeping with your baby will make a huge difference. I tried to put my baby in a bassinet for two weeks, and didn't sleep for those two weeks. It was terrible, I cried when he cried. Then my friend told me how to nurse lying down (the nurse at the hospital told me not to nurse lying down because I might smother the baby), I started sleeping with him and I have slept great ever since.

[Jamie Wilson]

I don't know if this is an option for you, but when my ds was a baby (he's 3 now! How did that happen?) I slept in the spare bedroom with him in the bed so that my husband could sleep, since it was the middle of the soccer season and he really had to get sleep to be able to play (his job, not for fun)! I can't imagine how some people get any sleep at all in the beginning if the munchkin isn't in the bed! The memories of sleep deprivation are flooding back... now I think I need a nap!

[Ronni]

Thanks for replying, Krista and Jamie. Sorry it took so long to respond - I've been so sick lately (a bad cold, nothing pregnancy-related) and haven't felt like getting online.

Krista, you're lucky your friend told you how to nurse lying down. I'm going to have to figure it out on my own. I do remember trying to do it with my oldest, but I gave up since it was hard for me to figure out. Hopefully it goes better this time.

Jamie, I kind of have a feeling that the baby AND our 5 year old son will be sleeping with me, which means DH won't be able to sleep in the same room (he's very particular about nighttime noises and especially how much room he gets in the bed!) so he's already prepared to sleep somewhere else! The poor guy may be lost in a couple of months. But he does understand that I'll need my sleep if he wants me to care properly for his children (not to mention, drive them around in the car everyday!).

Ronni

[kjmckenzie]

Hi Ronni,

Here are some tips for nursing lying down. I am aware of two ways: the way I do it is both of us lie on our side and I have a pillow behind me supporting my back. I put my lower arm straight under the pillow behind my head. I use thick pillows behind my head and behind my back. In this position, you use your lower breast.

My sister-in-law does the same thing, but lies the baby on a pillow and uses the top breast.

At first it is a bit awkward, but the pillow behind my back really works well. I sort of lay against it.

You'll get the hang of it! It makes things so easier .

[Ronni]

Thank you so much, Krista. That's going to help me alot!

Ronni