Postpartum Burnout

Postpartum Burnout: Why It Happens (and Why It’s Not Your Fault)

Becoming a mother is one of life’s most beautiful (and most demanding) experiences. You’ve just brought new life into the world, and everyone tells you to “soak it all in.” But in between the feedings, the sleepless nights, the healing, and the endless worry that you’re not doing it “right,” it’s easy to feel completely drained.

If you’re feeling like you’re running on fumes, you’re not alone. What you may be feeling has a name: postpartum burnout.

What Is Postpartum Burnout?

Postpartum burnout isn’t just “being tired.” It’s a deep exhaustion - physical, emotional, and mental, that can make even simple tasks feel impossible. It often creeps in quietly, masked as “just adjusting to motherhood,” until you realize you’ve been running on empty for weeks or months.

Why It’s So Easy to Get There

Let’s be honest: new moms are expected to do an impossible amount. Here’s what your body and mind are actually juggling:

• You’re healing: Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, your body has gone through a major event. Muscles are sore, hormones are shifting, and you may be dealing with pain, stitches, or limited mobility.
• You’re sleep deprived: Newborns don’t come with a schedule. Between round-the-clock feeding and soothing, it’s normal to feel like you haven’t had a proper stretch of sleep in weeks.
• You’re learning everything from scratch: Even if it’s not your first baby, every newborn is different. Figuring out what each cry means, how to latch, and how to keep this tiny human happy can feel overwhelming.
• You’re on call 24/7: Your baby depends on you for everything. That kind of constant responsibility can make it hard to find even five minutes to breathe, eat, or shower.

And through all of this, the world often tells you to “enjoy every moment.” But it’s okay if some moments are hard (or even miserable). That doesn’t mean you love your baby any less.

What Burnout Might Look Like

Postpartum burnout can show up in many ways:

• Feeling constantly exhausted no matter how much rest you get
• Snapping at your partner or crying easily
• Struggling to focus or make decisions
• Feeling detached from your baby or from yourself
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

These feelings can overlap with postpartum depression or anxiety, which is why it’s so important to reach out for support from your doctor, midwife, lactation consultant or a mental health professional.

You Deserve Support

You don’t need to “push through” burnout. Healing and caring for a newborn is more than enough on your plate. A few small shifts can help you start to refill your tank:

• Ask for help early and often. Let your partner, friends, or family take over meals, laundry, or baby care for short stretches.
• Rest when you can, not just when the baby sleeps. Even small pauses to breathe deeply or stretch can help.
• Talk about how you’re feeling. Sharing honestly with someone you trust can lift some of the emotional weight.
• Nourish your body. Hydration, small nutritious meals, and gentle movement can support recovery.

You’re Doing Enough

If you’re reading this and thinking, That’s me, please know that you’re not failing. You’re navigating one of the most demanding seasons of life, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’ve been giving everything to your baby without enough care for yourself.

Take this as a gentle reminder: you deserve rest, support, and compassion too.

‍