I have a 9 month old daughter. I stay at home with her and I am getting worn out really fast...is this normal? What can I do?

Mylene - posted on 04/29/2009

proper meals, getting out of the house and taking proper vitamins helps a lot. Also sleep when baby sleeps and your energy should come back pretty quickly.

Rasha - posted on 04/29/2009

I am a stay at home mom. My son is 7 1/2 months. I used to feel very tired all the time and realized that it was because I wasn't eating well. I was too busy taking care of my baby and trying to be supermom that I hardly ever had a proper meal. I feel much better now that I consciously try to eat better.

Sandra - posted on 04/27/2009

It is normal, but the important part, is that you have to have what I call "me time". This may mean, that you go up to your room, while your husband watches the little one and you read a book, or listen to music. Sometimes I will go to the grocery store by myself, and that alone works. You just have to find something that is just for you.

Jacinta - posted on 04/27/2009

no it's very normal. You must miss the adult conversation it gets a little bit better once your baby starts to soak up info and starts talking and reacting to the things you do.

Danielle - posted on 04/24/2009

Hi Stephanie,

I have been a stay at home mom for about 2 years now. I have 3 children ages 10,

1 1/2, and 4 months. Being at home, generally alone, with children is a very tiring job. I belive it's because you have little to no adult interaction. Some days you feel like your going to go out of your mind! This is normal or at least I think it is! I find that getting up a little early and getting showered, dressed and maybe if time permits doing your hair helps. Get out of the house as much as possible! Hope this helps a little if you ever need to talk i'm more than willing to have another Mom to talk to, too. Have a good day!

Christina - posted on 04/23/2009

I went through this just recently. I tried talking to my husband about it but he couldn't relate. I was a mom, maid, and a cook but no longer an individual. I got on the internet and found other moms who were going through the same thing. This helped me so much, it also helped that Oprah did a mom show around the same time. One mom had some great advice: You need to let go of (mourn) your old self because you will never be that person again. Your life has changed forever. Once you have mourned your old self it is time to re-invent your self. Take some time to figure out who you are right now and then find a way to express this new you. I'm still trying to figure out who the new me is but I feel 100 times better now that I know I'm not really lost, I'm just being re-discovered!

Elisha - posted on 04/22/2009

well now I know Im not alone.... I have a 2 1/2 yr old and a 9 month old... and I have absolutly no energy.... I stay at home 7 days a week... the only time I get a break is if my sister takes one for the day, which isnt very often anymore cause she is pregnant with her own little bundle of joy.... so.... now I am seriously considering putting the girls in daycare 2 days a week, just so I can have some mommy free time.... I do get out of the house quite often but getting two kids in and out of the car, making sure the girls have something to drink and something to snack on and making the two year old mind in a dept store while youre trying to shop, is overwhelming... especially while your by yourself..... If I know I have to go to the store with the girls I better get all my shopping done in a hour or so..... I like to go with my husband shopping... but he gets cranky too if we're out too long.... its so stressful sometimes... sometimes i just dread going shopping as a family.... I know it will get better for me when I get the girls in a day care.... cause being stressed out like that isnt good.... I know I'm a better mommy than this...

Melissa - posted on 04/15/2009

I don't have an answer and am hoping to hear what people write u. My son is now 16 mths old and I am going thru the same thing. I also take care of a 2 yr old 2 days a week for some xtra money but those days are worse than others because neither of the kids will nap.
I am always exhausted. I can't even get myself motivated for the gym. I gave up my dance classes too because I'm so tired. My husband works a lot and never helps out when he is home. I feel like i'm gonna lose it sometimes. I would never want to go back to work full time now that I have my son. I mean, I love it! But, I totally understand how u feel. I feel as if everything about me has changed! HELP!

Madeleine - posted on 04/15/2009

I'm in a similar situation with my first born, too. He's 7 months now, and we've both had cabin fever really bad recently. (Thank goodness the weather is changing!) We joined Gymboree and go play 4x a week, we try to take 1 or 2 walks a day when the weather's nice, and once a month we get out of the city and visit friends or family for a weekend. I still feel run down, like I have no social life anymore, and don't get any time to do anything I want to do. My boyfriend works long hours and is an actor, so when he gets home he wants to play or relax. Mean while I get to keep cleaning or cooking, or whatever needs to get done. I feel like I never get a break. He could help out more, but we're both new to this and are still working on finding our groove. Other than getting out with the kiddo, I joined a gym and try to steal 2 hours 3-4x a week for just me. It's good for feeling energized, and kicking the baby weight, plus I'm away from everything for a bit. Also, my brother and his girlfriend babysit at least once a month to give us a date night. It all breaks things up, but still feels tedious at times. I love it, yet have my moments, too, where I think it's too much. I think it must be normal. How can such a life altering thing not throw everything into upheaval? Hope this helps, and good luck!