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What is postpartum fatigue?

postpartum fatigue
Dr Shauna Fannin
Medically reviewed by
11th Aug 2021
 

It’s a given that you are going to feel tired and be lacking in sleep after having a baby.

A combination of post-delivery fatigue, worry and a child waking frequently for a feed means that it’s inevitable that sleep is going to be hard to come by – and you can end up feeling exhausted as a result.

But you still need your sleep and rest, as feeling tired can make life difficult for you – particularly if you have other children.

To help you understand why you’re feeling so tired – and help you to overcome it – here’s some answers to common questions about tiredness and sleep deprivation as a new mum...

Is it normal to feel tired after having a baby?

Yes, it’s completely normal to feel tired – and even exhausted – when you have a new baby. Every new parent feels like this to some extent, so give yourself a break, accept it and understand that you are doing nothing wrong by feeling like this.

How can I get a better night’s sleep?

It’s unfortunate that, just when you need sleep more than ever, a combination of things are conspiring against you to make getting a good night’s kip difficult. The most obvious of these is a crying baby.

This is tough to cope with, particularly when they are waking several times a night – but try and remember that this won’t last forever and it won’t be long before your little one will sleep for longer periods and, at some point, all the way through the night. This sort of pragmatism can help you get through the dark nights, when you may lay awake worrying about never getting sleep again. Basically, it will get better!

Also, you may find that you are having troubled dreams when you do manage to drop off – and you may have nightmares about something happening to your baby, or not being a god mum. Try and remember that these are just dreams and aren’t going to come true or mean anything. They are merely a projection of your worries as a new parent.  

You may find that a calm and restful period after you’ve put your little one down and before you go to sleep – where you have a bath, listen to music or read a book – will help you get a better night’s rest.

Is being tired harmful?

Being tired isn’t directly, physically harmful – and it can be tempting to just shrug tiredness off and put up with it as an inevitable aspect of having a baby. But being tired can be very draining for you and begin to make you feel foggy in your head and sleepy, which can make it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. And this makes accidents more likely, especially while driving.

Sleep deprivation also has a link to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. And if you already have any mental health problem, then tiredness and lack of sleep may make it worse.

What else can I do to help myself cope with tiredness?

The simplest answer to this question is to get more rest, but obviously that’s not always easy when you have a new baby. But you should do all you can to make time during the day, when your baby is sleeping, to have a quick nap or just sit with your feet up and relax for a bit. And be sure to accept any help that is offered by family and friends.

Here are some more things you can do to help combat tiredness:

  • Eat a healthy diet containing lots of fruit and vegetables, as well as wholemeal bread and pasta and lean meat. And try and avoid food that is high in fat, sugar and salt.
  • Make sure you have breakfast, as this boosts your metabolism and gives your body energy.
  • Try and avoid big, heavy meals, as this can lead to a crash in energy levels
  • Drink lots of water throughout the day
  • Limit caffeine intake, especially in the evening

Do I need to get help for my tiredness?

If you’re worried about your tiredness, or it’s causing a problem, then you should seek help from your doctor or health visitor, especially if you feel your mental health is being affected.

There are also many charities out there who give advice and support to new mums, such as Tommy’s opens in a new window and Family Lives opens in a new window .

 

Approved by healthcare team

 

 

 

 

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