Asking for Help

In the past few weeks I have heard a bunch of stories of postpartum depression, failed breastfeeding attempts, traumatic births, and overwhelmed mamas. I am saddened by the reality that these mamas and families are facing. In most all of these cases, the families did not seek help until much later, until the issue had become a larger battle. This is my urging mamas and their families to be educated and seek out help. Ask for resources. Ask for a hand. Ask for support. Ask ask ask. We, your village, will be there.
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There are many people in your community who are there to help.

• partner, mother, friend
• postpartum doula
• 8-1-1 - Info Santé: speak with a registered nurse (dial 8-1-1)
• doctor, midwife, nurse
• community organizations and support groups
• Nourri-Source Montreal 
• lactation consultant
• ​...

Sometimes it is tough as new parents to know when something is wrong or when we might be overreacting. It is difficult to know what is normal and what is a not normal. Many new parents have little experience with babies - especially newborns. To know how much crying is too much crying is difficult to explain. It is normal to be unsure if baby is getting enough milk. It is ok to wonder and talk through what happened in your birth. All of these reasons and more are valid times for seeking out help. 

Being a mama can be really hard.  
But it can be --- oh so rewarding as well.

Accepting that it is hard is the first part. Affirming all of your other emotions is a good second. You are having all the feels because you have just had something huge happen to you, your body, your life. Everything is different and some remain the same. Reaching out and asking for help is one of the best things a mama can do for herself. Having help is a good part to proper self-care.

Examples of asking for help

• Asking your partner to help with nighttime wakings
• Asking a friend to come help with dinner
• Asking for a lactation consultant to help you with breastfeeding
• Asking your doctor to examine you because you are not quite feeling ok after birth
• Asking a postpartum doula to come help with housework, baby care, and give mama some time to sleep
• Asking a nurse if your baby's diaper output is normal
• Asking your care provider to speak more about your birth and answer questions at a postpartum followup