First time mom here with a 6 week old. I’m currently breastfeeding. My question is how do you not feel so lonely and isolated? I lost all milk supply from freezer going out so I’m currently just feeding, and pumping non stop to make back up my supply so I can’t leave home much right now. My spouse is working very long hours sense I’m currently off work still but how do you mommas do it? I’m struggling with PPD and anxiety and I’m just a wreck of emotions and so lonely. My SO literally gets home from work eats, showers, interacts with the baby for an hour or two and then goes to sleep so I’m by alone 20-22 hrs it seems with little to no sleep. Im struggling so hard to just not lose my shit. I feel like I’m doing EVERYTHING by myself especially when it comes to the baby and granted he does cook, clean and occasionally help with laundry. But what can I do to not feel like a spiraling depressed train wreck. I’m lashing out, I can’t get him out from under me to maintain my house hold and all of my family lives about 1,000 miles away and I won’t get to see them till next month. Please be kind, I’m needing all the reassurance and some words of wisdom on how to work through this without losing my mind
Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. First time mom. I need wisdom and advice - Mamas Uncut
Reminder… this too shall pass.
Ask a parent or a sibling if they can take the babes for a bit, and get some rest! Just remember, they don’t stay little for long and make sure you get some help with the PPD bcuz it can get way worse! I’ve been there! Hang in there
If ur ok with it stop breast feeding. Switch babe to formula. Also schedule something for u to do. Go get a pedicure or even go shopping buy a new outfit or go for a walk outside by urself!
Is it in your budget to have a house keeper once a week for a while? I’m a single momma, have been since my son was born (he’s two now). I understand what it means to do it all alone and I understand what it means to have the weight of keeping your household together all fall in you shoulders too. Look into a house keeper, or see if there are any local teens in the area looking to make some cash by doing simple chores.
I know it’s hard but like others have said, this is just a season. It will pass. I have PPD and anxiety as well. If it gets to be too much, talk to your doctor.
Hugs to you.
Do you go to church or have friends that you worked with prior to the baby? Maybe you could invite a couple of them over for lunch, meet them at a park that’s within walking distance or create a small “New Mommy Group?” All of those activities are family friendly and will allow you to connect with others around you. I know it’s hard right now but I promise, it will get better.
Whew. It is tough. Am (kinda) in the same boat. PP baby #3, no family or friends where I live & my husband works out of town for 6 days (then he is home for a week) and it is HARD. It’s frustrating and isolating. The best things I’ve found for me have been to Reach out to friends / family (text or call).
-just talking to someone other than a baby / child is a nice break.
Go for a walk / get outside once a day
Don’t try to do everything every day. Do one or two loads of laundry. Start the dishwasher (unload tomorrow)
I do some form of self care every day (face mask, nails, etc)
Raising babies is hard and exhausting… especially when your support system isn’t near… just remember you have to nurture yourself to nurture your baby.
Awww hun, talk to your Dr. You need some meds. It doesn’t get easier. Right now you are in the easy stage and it only gets harder. I’m not going to Suger coat it. You need help, you need someone to talk to someone that can help you with the baby and you need to be on meds. It’s hard but there is no shame in asking for help. PPD is serious you aren’t failing as a parent in any way. Please gun, talk to someone. You can send me a message if you want… I pray things get better for you 
Aww you’re doing great mama! I can just imagine what you’re going through , I went through the same thing and felt like I was alone. Do you have any friends you can invite over for lunch ? Tell your doctor also. It’ll get better as your baby grows. Talk to your hubby about it too!
Call a mama you know nearby. Doesn’t even matter if you know her that well. If you call her and tell her what’s going on I bet she’ll come help out however she can for a few hours. Mamas need other mamas. We were never meant to do this alone.
It will not stay this way. It will pass. That doesnt make it feel better in the moment, but hold on tightly to the realization that it will come. Something that might help with the PPD is less screen time for YOU. Pick up an easy hobby, or start reading. Try getting outside, even if its just in your yard more, and drink lots of water and food. Get a cook book and try different recipes. But also, absolutely talk to your DOCTOR. The meds can make uou feel weird initially, but the right dose can change it all around for you. Look for play groups. Or reading groups or community events for kids. Find some mom friends. One of my best friends just walked up to me in Target and explained she was pregnant and I clearly was and she wanted a mommy friend and asked if I would consider it. You have done the most profound thing on the planet with your body. Take confindence in your abilities to figure out the rest and you will. Be patient ith yourself and everything else - and really talk openly tobyour doctor and husband.
It gets better Hun. You are doing a great job. I know it’s really hard the first few months but it does get better. Try calling friends and family often. Take a walk outside. Have a relaxing bath when hubby gets home and takes over baby duties. Let some of the house work slide a bit. Focus on you and baby. You’ve got this
Always here if u need q friend I know how u feel
Lots of FaceTime dates with friends and family. I still do it 17 months later. Set up your phone in the kitchen and just FaceTime a friend while you cook. Or set the phone up I. The living room and FaceTime while playing with the baby. You can’t imagine how much it really helps. You are going to still feel lonely but not as bad. It’s hard and it sucks I know but seriously this will pass and you and your baby will be able to do things together and you’ll be able to find more help as baby can be more independent. The infant stage (while warm and sweet and smooshie) suck. But they really do go by really fast, even if it doesn’t seem like it right now.
It will get easier and the depression will pass bc I went thru it with my youngest he’s going to be 3 in a few days the Most! Pumping 24-7 and keeping up with breastfeeding 24-7 is a big task and will get to you the most I found it was easier when I would also use formula too I didn’t just switch to formula. But I did do one less breastfeeding with a formula feeding the baby was fuller and slept longer and I would pump that feeding that he had formula that also will give you a little more time to your self. I understand not having no family around. I didn’t have anyone at all expected my other child. There dad worked alot and it seem like he would work extra to not have to be around. Also don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad about what your going thru your doing amazing mama your taking care the one thing that means the most the best! I would take to you other half about when they come home you need a few extra hours to yourself to go do something or just simply caught up on sleep. Also that would be a great time for the baby and the father to bond more. From experience the meds aren’t all there made out to be but yes you should talk to your doctor and explain your feelings so maybe they can suggest somethings for you to do or some places you can go and do activities with other mothers and there baby’s. Or maybe think about having your mom come stay a few weeks with you to help you get thru this time. Support is what you need the most during this time. Remember your amazing and you got this no matter how hard things feel you got this 
I struggled with PPD after I started going back to work when my son was 4 months. All I wanted to do was stay and nurse my son, everything else mattered less and less to me. Eventually I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I went to my primary care provider and she put me on a low dose zoloft when my son was 9mo. I have never not been able to pull myself out of a mental funk before. But with PPD I needed some help. The zoloft made all the difference and I was also able to make some daily changes that helped get my mind centered again. I felt better balancing everything. I was able to nurse my son exclusively until 14 months when he weaned himself. I was on zoloft for about 6 months then stopped needing it.
Is there a mommy Facebook group in your area? It’s for mom’s and their babies to connect. It’s such a big help
Get you and baby out of the house whenever the weather permits.
You can feed in public is some fab covers if not comfortable atleast then will not be so isolated but I’ve 5 kids I’ve found been a mum is isolating in general.
I struggled so hard with this with my youngest. I’m so sorry mama but you are doing an incredible job! If you talk to your dr and get on meds to help with the ppd and anxiety (I had it so bad) it really does make a huge difference. And just literally go outside for a little bit, you and baby and go on little walks anything to get out of the house for a small bit. I promise it does get easier. Don’t worry about the house , if it gets done great but don’t beat your self up. You are doing exactly what your supposed to be doing. You are taking care of your child but don’t forget to take care of you too. Talk to your dr ASAP it helps a lot. And I don’t know where you live but send me a friend request. I’ll talk to you anytime! Send me a message if you want to talk but just know your not alone! And you got this!!
Oh sweetheart you’re doing a great job but you need to get out.
Switch to formula and get out in nature, Book a hair appointment . Go for coffee.
If mom is unhappy so is baby. Formula will do them no harm and you won’t be so exhausted
My family lives close and I still feel isolated. Being a mom is hard and breastfeeding even more restrictive. I have a 2 month old and I struggle as well. Some days are harder than others. I really don’t have much advice other than try and get out when you can and know that even though the days seem long it will get better with time:blue_heart: By far the hardest job there is and I know none of us can really help you but hopefully knowing you’re not alone helps for right now. I made my husband take me to the grocery store the other day just to get out of the house and have an adult conversation 
I also had a breakdown that day lol the store was out of things we needed and it was my breaking point. Cried right there in the store He may not know how else to help you so make sure you are honest with him how you are feeling. Not that he can fix anything for you but sometimes talking about how you’re feeling can help a little.
IT DOES GET BETTER AND EASIER!!! I went through it too after having my daughter and I’m not sure about all of us but pretty sure a lot of us mama’s go through this. My inbox is open if ya want to chat sometime. Don’t stress about housework rn…just do what ya can when ya can/have the energy to do it. Definitely try to explain to your SO how you’re feeling and what you’re going through so they can try to help or at least have an idea of why you’re lashing out or not doing certain things. Give the baby to your SO for a break when they get home too even if it’s 20 minutes. You’d be surprised how much a little time to yourself can help. Try to do it right after you’ve fed the baby so if they start fussing it’s an issue your SO can take care of (diaper change, blanket etc) and not bc they want to nurse. If possible take the baby on walks or other outings as much as you can. Getting out of the house is good for both of you plus you never know if you’ll make a new mom friend. Talk to the doc if you haven’t already about it for sure. Call and talk to a friend or family member when you’re feeling lonely it’s not the same as face to face but it does help. The first few months were hard af but little by little things started getting easier. Hang in there and remember to take care of you too.
Don’t worry so much about pumping. Once a day if you really need to. See if there are any local Parent and Baby Groups and organize yourself to go. You only need to breastfeed for twenty minutes every four hours so think how you can get out in-between. Go to the park and breastfeed in a quiet spot, or a cafe. I found that everything got easier at six weeks too. You might find you only produce enough milk for your baby as your supply settles down too so don’t fret if pumping produces very little from now on too. See if you can also find Bring Baby Exercise Classes. I used to do Pilates/Yoga where your baby goes too. You’re doing a great job and it does get easier x
I’m sure you’re doing just fine. 
Bringing a human into this world and taking care of him/her 24-7 is exhausting; give yourself some credit. Lots of long, controlled deep breaths, in thru your nose and exhale out your mouth, repeat.
Talk to a therapist or your doctor if you aren’t already on a medication, maybe you should be.
Join a Mom’s group, in person or online—maybe you’ll find a friend or two. Check a local community center too. Google for groups near you.
Reach out for chats with your family.
If your spouse spends time with the baby, take 30-60 minutes for yourself—a bath, a walk outside, a walk in a store, go get a coffee or tea, exercise if you’re cleared to do so—anything you enjoy and miss.
Just know that it won’t be like this forever, they grow so very fast. Try to enjoy all those baby moments to the fullest, but getting yourself to a good spot right now is most important.
Walks always helped me, I would take my daughter out three times a day. I had to push myself but it helped. Fresh air is really good for your mind. Also try talking with your husband. Sometimes just talking about what your going through helps. Stay strong
You need to communicate your feelings with your SO. He might not even realize that you’re struggling. But I’m in a very similar situation, PPD and no family around. Thank goodness for modern technology! Because I FaceTime my mom almost every day. Make some phone calls. Even though they aren’t physically there, it helps your mental state to be able to talk to someone. Anyone. Hell, if you need to PM me and we can chat! Good luck mama, you’re doing so much better than you think.
When baby naps you take one
Reach out to your doctor see if there are any mom studies or things you could participate in. That’s what I did. Usually big clinics get funding for different mother groups or new baby groups/studies. It’s really nice to be in groups settings. Go online and look for free mom activities in your area. It really does help.
I found the best thing for me was to just leave the house. I’d put my baby in his pram and just walk around the shops stop and grab a coffee or something to eat and just escape the house. The house mess will still be there but just take on one job a day even if its just making the beds then tomorrow chuck some cloths in the washing machine. As said before I promised it gets better. Just take a deep breath and remind urself this isn’t forever. YOU GOT THIS MUMMA one day at a time
I would feed him from the bottle. It doesn’t hurt anyone to put the baby down for a bit. Be glad your husband is helping. Go to doctor and let him know how your feeling.
Omg I 100% feel you even with extra help I get cleaning, and the medication(I had bipolar depression before my kids), and the occasional couple of hour my SO will take the baby, even going out to pay a bill or take my 5yo to school feels so difficult and draining and my 2mo didn’t latch so I feel like I’m pumping around the clock to keep up with her, BTW milky mama emergency brownies do help if you have the money and lots of body armor and water. Other than that I really feel so lost, I didn’t feel the detachment with my 2mo that I felt with my 5yo but somehow the isolated feeling and hopelessness and constant exhaustion ( my 2nd daughter is way more active and awake that my first) is so much worse. And chipping away at my sanity but I do know from experience with my first that the ppd does go away usually faster with help from your doctor I just don’t remember exactly when, I do remember it got a little better when my first started sleeping most the night and holding her own bottle. Sorry my comments a little all over the place but it does get better and seek help from your doctor and a good cry never hurt anyone.
You can breastfeed in public. Try to get out of the house. Go for walks, the mall, see a friend.
Honestly sounds like you would benefit from a mums group. Somewhere you can have a cuppa and a chat and breastfeed without feeling uncomfortable. Let some of the house work go a bit and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to produce mass amounts of milk. As someone above suggests, stick to pumping once a day. Get yourself some comfort items and make sure you take an hour or two between feeds just for you to watch a movie, read a book, or do a hobby or whatever else might relax you - housework be damned because your sanity is worth more than a mopped floor or folded laundry.
This is a phase and will pass. Try to make some quality time with hubby too when baby sleeps. The house will wait, and probably won’t be as clean as you like until kiddo moves out anyway. In 6 months, it’ll be baby food and blow outs. In a year, first steps and sleep regression. There’s always going to be something new to challenge your family dynamic. Focus on you and your new family for as long as you can before slowly adding chores back in. Baby is portable - go for picnics in the sunshine, window shopping at a bookstore or take a family drive to see lights. Ask hubby to watch baby while you take a class or pottery or something just for you, even a bubble bath or spa day. Making milk takes a TON out of you, 27/7, so you’re operating probably at 50-75% of pre-baby capacity without realizingit. And the crazy hormones! Allow yourself to relax and cut yourself some slack. Get out of your own head. Start small, one day at a time, and connect with baby and hubby. Reconnect with your new reality, the new you. Let go of what’s not perfect to make memories of these perfect moments you have.
It is not necessary to feed ONLY breast milk 100% of the time. You are allowed to supplement with formula and Dad can do some night feedings with formula. It’s ok.