Games or Activities for a 9 Month Old.

E., I recommend to go to your Doctor for a total physical. Every women and body are different, every one respond differently in treatment it could be a simple anemia or postpartium depression. But the best way is get a pyhsical examen including blood work. I hope you feel much better. P.

I had a similar situation as you with my 3rd baby. It turned out I had hypothyroidism, and still have it. i would definatly tell your Dr to rule out that possibility.

Since you are breastfeedking, you may be going through a delayed post-partum depression. Sometimes when the baby starts breast feeding less your hormones go through a dip and it will make you feel a little lousy. I had my post partum depression around 6 months with my 2nd child.

If it continues another week you should call your doctor. Coming from someone who experienced post partum depression that required medicine - 2 weeks is the marker the doctors use when it's just a 'phase' and when it has gone on to be something you may need help with so it doesn't get worse.

You can send me a private message if you want more information about the post partum depression I went through (that I needed help for).

Good luck & God bless.

I went through it when both my babies were 4 months old. From what I've been told, breast feeding prolongs some of the other hormonal stuff you go through after having the baby. My hair didn't shed the whole time I was pregnant, then when they are 4 months old, it starts shedding like crazy, losing all the hair I should have shed at one time...it's really embarrassing, but it grows back. The moodiness came with it and tiredness, but if it last for a prolonged time, I would see a DR., just to make sure.

Hope that helps,
R.

Hi E... My son is almost 2 years old and i still have problems with my hair falling out. and with the irritability problem i got put on some medicine. but my medicine also helps with my depression. have you talked to your doctor to try and get some suggestions/MS

Hey E., my daughter is now 3 1/2 months and I am going through the same thing, this morning after a shower, I noticed more than average hair on the towel. I got kinda nervous until I remembered "the change" that my body was supposed to be going through yet again. Also, the past few days I have been feeling menstrual like cramps and just not myself. Real sluggish, irritable, etc. I am also nursing and taking birth control so I believe that we are just going through the normal "changes". Nice to know someone else out there is experiencing this too at the same time, though. :) Good luck!

E.:
I am sure that this is a natural phase of post natal mommy-hood, however, you might want to consider speaking with a professional on this matter. While you will no doubt hear from other moms that they too experienced your symptoms, it would be best to talk this over with your OB/GYN or even your child's pediatrician. I am sure that you are just going through a phase and that Nature will work things out but just to be on the safe side, discuss your headaches, irritability, and fatigue with your doc; I am sure s/he can comfort you and let you know that what you are going through is completely normal...and if not, well, they can certainly help you. Salud!

My son is 8 months old now, and I just went through what you talking about. It does go away, my hair was falling out like crazy, and I was getting hot flashes really bad. I still get the hot flashes some, I guess that will go away in time to.
But if you are really concerned or feeling really down and depressed, you need to let your DR. know right away. THere is help out there for post partum, dont let it get bad. Hang in there!! :)

You may have postpartum thyroiditis. I also have a 6 month old, and have had it with my past two children. I actually had an appointment today. I would suggest see your primarty MD and have some bloodwork done. I had never heard of the condition, but had many of the same symptoms you are having and went to see my doctor, and sure enough... I had to look it up on the internet because I had never heard of it. Good luck!

Talk to your doctor and tell them about the symptoms. It could be any one of the things mentioned - or nothing but hormones. But is definitely worth a trip to the doctor's office.

Hi E., Unfortunately everyone is right. Hormones are nasty little things! I felt just like you at around 4 - 6 months. My hair fell out in CLUMPS. I was afraid to comb and wash my hair! I did find a shampoo/condtioner that worked well for me and I still use it. Nioxin. It's especially for hair loss. It's pricey but worth it. You can get it higher end beauty supply stores. I saw a dermatologist about my hair and the best advice she gave me was don't cut my hair because it's falling out! She was totally right. I've known people that cut their hair because it's falling out and it looks worse and they're even unhappier with their hair. I think your mood swings sound on track too. But if it persists or you're really uncomfortable then see your doc. It will all pass in time.

Sound like you have a mild case of post pardom depression. Most women start to show signs around 3 month after giving birth and it can last up to a year. Talk to your doctor and your husband, and go on medicince if needed. you might start to feel like your again in a few weeks on the right medicine. as for the hair loss , i lost hair after all three of my kids were born, it is a normal hormonal thing....ask your doctor to test your thyriod. thyroid conditions are very common after giving birth. they can make you tired, forgetful, depressed and much more. it is a simple blood test to find out. try to get rest and get some alone time too to help you feel better ( i know , it seems hard to do , but it will make you feel so much better) i know alot about his stuff. i went throught it after my second and third child. but it does get better....good luck

Hi E. ...
To me , this sounds normal. Breast feeding affects your hormones quite a lot , and your body is still adjusting. It will just take some time ; it will level out again. If you start to feel really depressed with dark thoughts , though , please do reach out to some one you trust , a church councelor , a family member ... have some one watch the baby for a little bit while you clear your mind.
Best of luck to you. ~ Ape

Hi E.,

Yep, it is true!!! About 4 months after each of my kid's births (I have 3) my hair started falling out, and not just a few strands, but handfulls at a time. After my first was born and this happened, I freaked - I called my doctor and said "SOMETHING IS HORRIBLY WRONG!!!" all my hair was falling out. I have relatively long hair and very thick - but as horrible as it sounds, I was starting to look like a chemo patient - that's how bad my hair fell out! However, it grows back... I've always said the world would be a happier place if WE ALL were bald!! Just keep a check on your well-being for any other symptoms... your iron may be low also, thus for the tiredness, etc.. If it worries you a lot, see your doctor. In the meantime, enjoy that baby boy, they are a blessing!!!

E.
This is probably perfectly normal. My hair also fell out at six months post partum, I am still waiting for it to grow back. I am also have had issues with Post Partum Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder relating to my c-section. The PPD didn't kick in until a few months after my DD was born. I have also read that sometimes new moms have a "breakdown" between 6 and 12 months where everything just gets overwhelming from trying to do it all.
My dd is also breastfed (still now at 1 year) but I have been told that stopping breastfeeding abruptly can actually contribute to hormonal problems.
Try to get enough rest (ha!) eat healthy, and drink plenty of water. I know this helps me when I am going through a rough spot.
-K.

YES! When my daughter was that old, I went for a haircut and even my stylist confirmed that this happens to everyone. He said, "Just wait till you go through weaning!" (but that turned out to not be so bad.) In addition to hormones, though, I think there are a few other perfectly logical factors that might have aggravated the situation. They might be worth a self-check:

1) Water! Your child is probably growing phenomenally at this age. Bigger kid=bigger appetite (often preceding another growth spurt!). Remember what you've heard about drinking 8 glasses of water a day? Forget it--you need a whole lot more than that to make up for what he's taking out of you (and for any coffee/tea/soda you've been drinking to stay conscious this long!) If you're dehydrated, that also means that your kidneys are having to struggle extra hard to filter out whatever's dragging you down. Help them out and rehydrate! (This usually takes 2 weeks of incessant sipping, so don't give up!)

2) Nutrition. You're probably doing fine here, but after those 9 months of treating my body like the baby-bearing temple that it was, the hectic pace of motherhood drove me toward quick snacks of convenience foods and vitamin drinks. Not much good for my energy, or for the immune power that my breastmilk was supposed to be passing on to my baby! You're probably still taking your vitamins, too; but your body (and your baby) needs lots of fresh food that still has its life in it--so next time jr. falls asleep in the car, pull over for the healthiest drive-through salad you can find, park in a shady spot with a nice view, and give yourself a break that really counts.

3) Sleep. Hmmm...let's get this straight...you're a new mother, and you're tired...new mother...tired...and you've been keeping it up heroically for 5-6 months. We ALL know what that can do to you! Add to that the possibility that you're sneaking what naps you can in an awkward position, when baby falls asleep on you nursing, and not only can you wake up cranky enough to pick a fight with a rabid badger, but you've possibly been moving your head all around trying to get comfortable, and--tah dah!--chronic new-momma bedhead, with no time to gently pamper those lovely locks back to shiny health. The hormones give a little push, and your frazzled hair falls out in clumps.

The hormones, no doubt, will take their toll; and I'm glad that so many other moms have written with their advice, concerns, and support. When you're trying so hard to take care of that busy little body and can scarcely find a moment to even go to the bathroom, sometimes you can forget to take care of your busy body, too. And like some others have said, don't add to the problem by stressing about it! Looking back, you already know how quickly things change in this new adventure of yours. This, too, shall pass; and with faith and prayer and lots of self-care, you'll come through strong and proud.

God bless you as you go forward with the most important job on earth!

Hi E.--I am in the same boat, 29 with a 6 month old (on the 25th). I have naturally thick curly hair. But the way it is falling out, I think I am going to be bald soon. I am still having "hot" flashes. My mental state has been shaky as well. We have to watch postpardum depression. I have even thought that I was pregnant again too. But am not. I do not breast feed anymore though. A couple of the girls at work says this is normal. So as long as I dont see any bald spots I think we will be okay...I hope it ends soon.

Hi E.
First of all, you should see you doctor. Especially since you are breastfeeding, your can be needing extra vitamins. You should have a full blood work-up done. When I gave birth to my twins and was giving birth, I experienced the same thing. I had become anemic. The doctors had me also give bottles so i could get better. Also, you should go for a bld test for pregnancy, I also was testing negative for home test, but when i went to the doctors it should i was pregnant. My second (third)child was born 3 days before my twins turned 1year old.
Noel