My friend has a 3 month old and also a 3 yr old. She has been struggling the last month or so, but now seems to have really gone into a whole different thing, I'm guessing PPD. She has anxiety attacks, bad insomnia, says she does not feel "normal" and has "irrational thoughts".
Much of it she attributes to lack of sleep. To deal with this she has, out of desparation, started giving her baby bottles of formula at night so her husband can feed him while she gets sleep. She also believes her milk is "no good for him" because she is so tired, stressed and has low supply.
Her baby has reflux and takes medication for that. he sleeps a lot in the daytime and is not a particularly interactive baby when awake (also cries a lot), and I think all that makes it really hard for her to get much of the "good side" of mothering right now, iykwim. To make it worse the helath visitor told her yesterday she has a "very stressed and intense baby". She is feeling very guily and responsible for everything.
Her Dh works long hrs and most weekends so she is pretty much doing this on her own. She does have lots of friends and I try to give practical support, but it seems that is not what she needs so much.
Her dr has given her sleeping pills but I'm worried that is just making her feel heavier and sleepier in the daytime.
She went through a depression this time last yr, and seems to believe something is "wrong with her". She did take medication that time and it helped a lot, as long as brief counselling.
She is very open to suggestions of herbs, homeopathy, alternative therapies etc and has scheduled an acupuncture appt.
Any suggestions I can pass on to her, or any ideas how I might help (before my onw 2nd one comes along in a few weeks)? TIA.
Much of it she attributes to lack of sleep. To deal with this she has, out of desparation, started giving her baby bottles of formula at night so her husband can feed him while she gets sleep. She also believes her milk is "no good for him" because she is so tired, stressed and has low supply.
Her baby has reflux and takes medication for that. he sleeps a lot in the daytime and is not a particularly interactive baby when awake (also cries a lot), and I think all that makes it really hard for her to get much of the "good side" of mothering right now, iykwim. To make it worse the helath visitor told her yesterday she has a "very stressed and intense baby". She is feeling very guily and responsible for everything.
Her Dh works long hrs and most weekends so she is pretty much doing this on her own. She does have lots of friends and I try to give practical support, but it seems that is not what she needs so much.
Her dr has given her sleeping pills but I'm worried that is just making her feel heavier and sleepier in the daytime.
She went through a depression this time last yr, and seems to believe something is "wrong with her". She did take medication that time and it helped a lot, as long as brief counselling.
She is very open to suggestions of herbs, homeopathy, alternative therapies etc and has scheduled an acupuncture appt.
Any suggestions I can pass on to her, or any ideas how I might help (before my onw 2nd one comes along in a few weeks)? TIA.
