Burnout

I'm not depressed, but I'm feeling burnout. How do y'all cope with it when time is very limited and your babies are still breastfeeding?

I'm trying to ease up on my own expectations of myself. But I could use some advice!

 

Could you have someone babysit for a few hours so you can rest?

I know nothing makes you appreciate your babies more than being away from them for a little while. I just don't know if that's possible when you are BF'ing.

 

Just getting out of the house for a couple of hours works wonders. :hug:

 

:hug: I agree that just getting out, even if it's only for a little bit can help a lot. Do you have anyone that can come over and help you? It's really hard, but I promise it does get better! :hug:

 

QUOTE(Kyrstyn @ Feb 16 2009, 09:33 AM) [snapback]1191625[/snapback]
:hug: I agree that just getting out, even if it's only for a little bit can help a lot. Do you have anyone that can come over and help you? It's really hard, but I promise it does get better! :hug:



i totally understand what you're going through....when i can't leave the house, i'll just go out on my porch for a few minutes....but a trip to walmart or just a short drive really does help. i'm not quite to the 'it gets better' part with mine, but i'm waiting...patiently...hang in there, we'll get through it.

 

It's hard. I gave up actually breastfeeding shortly after both of mine got home from the NICU. I pump instead and give them milk in a bottle so it "frees" up a little of my time. That's awesome though that you are continuing to breastfeed if that is what works for you. What kind of schedule do you have them on? My girls are 5.5 months chronological age, but 3 months adjusted age. It takes me about 45 minutes to feed them and after another 45 minutes of wake time, they go down for a 2 hour nap. I pump during that 2 hours, get on the internet, clean, scrapbook, catnap, or whatever I want to do. I have quickly learned that I'm not being selfish when I do something that I want to do. It keeps me sane.

I cope with my burn out a lot by being a part of a women's bible study, hanging out at my parent's house, we send the girls for a sleepover at their grandparents' house, and I blog to kind of vent.

I also cling to the Bible verse found in Isaiah 40:30-31, "Though youths grow tired and weary, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

 

We didnt have any family nearby so on the weekends, I would just try and get out for a bit by myself and leave DH in charge of a feeding or go out in between feeds as well. I did and still do get out almost everyday. I hate staying home all the time.

 

I would either nurse and then leave as quickly as possible and go do something alone (when my DH or a babysitter were here), I would often pump and leave milk too. Once they master a cup and their solids increase a lil bit you can give them a cup of ebm/water/juice etc and get out.

When I dont have help I use their naps wisely! They take 2 naps. so I use one for me and one for household stuff. For the most part I try to allow them to "help" me do whatever chores I need done so I can use both their naps for me! Ie.- they have a tupperware cupbaord to play in while I do dishes, or I give them a finger food snack in their high chair while I do dishes. I let them play in all the laundry baskets while I fold clothes. I let them play with toys in the bathroom (or at that age put them in exersaucer in my bathroom) while I shower and sign them songs lol

alot of times I nap. Sleeping is a wonderful boost! you could always sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, find a twins group, La Leache League or other sort of support group that gets you out of the house (with or without babies) and gives you real live people who you can talk to and are going through exactly what you are!

Ive made a great friend through my twins group. Its nice for me to have a real friend I can tell exacty how Im feeling. For example: (this sounds horrible and I would never do it) but I told her DS wouldnt stop whining today. He was driving me crazy. I just wanted to stick a sock in his mouth LOL - just allowing me to tell her that made me feel 10x better!

Hope you find a good outlet soon. A scrapbookinig or sewing class? going to the gym? yoga?

 

I also suggest time to yourself. You can pump to give a bottle of ebm or ff for a night. You really do need some down time just for yourself. This always helped me :hug:. Still does!