photographed by Lindsey Belle
Most of us are so busy worryingΒ about every breath our little ones take that we rarely stop for a second to take care of ourselves after having a baby. Β Yes our unmanicured hands are usually a reminder that our ‘me’ time is taking a back seat to nurturing and caring for another human life, but recently I have noticed other things,Β that have caused me to pause for a minute to think about my health and wellbeing.
The first thing that comes to mind (because every time I look in the mirror I notice the 2 inch hairs sticking up all over my head) is the postpartum hair loss. Β I believe I heard about this phenomenon before having a baby, but I guess I didn’t give it too much thought until it happened to me. When Knox was about 4 months old, I noticed all my thick beautiful pregnancy hair falling out in clumps. Β I would literally get out of the shower and be in disbelief at the sight on the shower floor. So (obviously), I would leave the evidence there for FMK to witness, as well. Β (He wasn’t too appreciative of this gesture, but I just had to show someone!) Β Now, 10 months postpartum, I am getting my hair back, but I am in the lovely grow out phase. Β Basically, this means lots of styling moose to try to tame the 2 inch fly aways sprouting up all over my head.
Another sad realization is that the beautiful, pore-less skin from pregnancy was just temporary. Β I am not sure how much of this is from lack of sleep or passing all your nutrients to your baby via nursing, but my skin suddenly looked pretty dull and lifeless a few short months after having Knox. Β It also couldn’t have helped that I had Knox in October so we were pretty much stuck indoorsΒ once I was ready to get out with him come January. Β This had meΒ lacking in vitamin D and looking pretty pale (breast feed babies take Vitamin D supplements to help with this).
Most recently, when I was home for a visit with my parents, I was commenting on all the random bruises on my legs. Β I seriously have no idea where they come from, but I probably have at least 3 on each leg. Β This worried my mom so I am getting a professional opinion at my upcoming doctor’s visit, but a little googling (I know, I know!) told me this could be aΒ side effect from nursing and not getting enough vitamin C and iron. Β So for now, I am trying to be better about taking my vitamins and eating extra healthy.
Lastly, I was reading this article on A Cup of Jo and her experience sounded very similar to what a friend of mine recently feltΒ after weaning her son just before his first birthday. Β After hearing of two separate instances of the correlation between weaning and depression (or just baby blues), I made a mental note to really be aware of my own emotionsΒ during this time. Β I started weaning Knox a few weeks after we arrived inΒ Texas (at almost 10 months). Β He was down to 3 nursing sessions a day and I decided to cut out the afternoon feeding and replace it with formula. Β Long story short, (due to a biting phase and low supply) I am now only nursing once a day and giving him two formula bottles a day. Β And sure enough, just like clock work, I had a pretty roller coaster week last week. Β I was so glad to have these conversations in the back of my mind to know it was likely just my hormones. Β I want to pass this knowledge on to other moms out there incase you experience something similar. Β The good news is mine was very short-lived (so far) and after a few days of heightened emotions (sorry FMK!), I am feeling back to myself.
Have you been surprised by anything you wish you were more prepared for post baby? Β Of course, all this (and more) is worth that one little smile or kiss (I mean just look at that sweet picture!) from our sweet babies, but I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below…
A few beauty tricks to help you get through some of the post baby challenges:
So sweet of you to share such a personal story. You just moved halfway across the country with a baby and started a new life! And throw in hormones and whew! So thoughtful of you to sort of give other moms a heads up. I had the hair loss thing too. I’m only 15 weeks in to Baby Morris 3 and my hair already started feeling different. I bought some Nioxin hair products and it feels better! Your skin will renew itself over time – besides you have good genes! π I did notice it took longer for my skin and hair to go back to normal after our second baby, which I breastfed and our first I didn’t.
I wish I would’ve been more prepared for the anxiety of decision making. Every decision we make directly affects these bundles of joy for the rest of their lives and sometimes it is difficult for me to cope with that reality. Just about the time I feel like I’ve got this mommy thing down, a new decision has to be made – most recently Kambry decided she wants to wear a two piece swimsuit. What? You’re 5! I don’t even wear a two piece. Lol.
I’ve heard of getting some weaning related baby blues as well, it makes me nervous to start tapering off my 7 month old!
I’m really glad someone else is enduring the joy of the awkward hair growing back! I have this weird clump right in front that’s about 2 inches. So annoying!
Weaning depression is so tough. I had it mildly with my daughter (now 2 1/2) and had no idea what I was going through until I read that same post on A Cup of Jo! I am going through it right now with my son and thankfully I knew it was coming, but boy is it a wild ride, I feel so bad for my husband, ha! Motherhood is so tough but so, so rewarding. This was a great post to remind us to take care of ourselves, too!
I am with you on the hair loss. Before I had my baby I lost hair all the time in the shower and I was constantly “shedding” but by the time my little girl turned three months my hair was coming out in giant clumps both in the shower and when I dried my hair. I ended up changing shampoos from my regular Pantene pro v to the aveda hair regrowth shampoo and conditioner and after about three weeks I was loosing a ton less hair. I’m at the point now where I don’t need a drain hair catcher because I barely loose any anymore. I only use it every other day and on the off days I still use the Pantene but I’m telling you, it’s a miracle that shampoo. I also noticed I was constantly feeling drained too after I nursed and my milk wasn’t coming in as plentiful as it used to. I tried taking vitamins and I’ve never felt better plus I know I’m getting the right nutrients while nursing. I take the Honest prenatal vitamins and also the Honest Omega3 vitamins. Just a couple recommendations to consider! It’s nice I hear of another mom going through the same thing! Also thanks for the heads up about falling into a depression while weaning. I am doll nursing but I’ll definitely be ready for it now when I start cutting back feedings. Love the picture too!!
xoxo
Hope you and the baby are doing well!
xoxo Kennedy
Northern Indigo
Reading this post was very interesting because I am going through the same things right now. I just stopped breast feeding and I went through about a week of feeling very sad and depressed and then when I thought I had a real problem the feelings just went away! I didn’t know there was a correlation. I am going through the same hair situation too, who would have known all this would happen, its always nice to know there are other ladies out there with the same problems =)
Regarding the bruising, I have two little guys (and am pregnant with my third) and each time when I was nursing them, I also hit a point where my legs were covered in bruises. I have no idea why. I went to the doctor when it happened with my first son and everything was fine. With my second son, it was the same pattern so I didn’t worry. Just FYI Im sure its absolutely fine!