Sounds A Little Weird But
15 Replies
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Is it possible for a babysitter to get postpartum depression? My grandma babysits my nephew from 6am-4pm every weekday and she show's all the signs of someone who would have it. I've confronted her about it, but she seems to think it's impossible to get postpartum depression when it isn't your child. I know dad's get it sometimes, I don't see why babysitters wouldn't get it. I'd like her to seek help... she says crazy things sometimes about hurting herself and/or my nephew and I really don't take them lightly, though she swears she's only joking. I asked my sister to give her a break for a month or two and she refused, she said she didn't trust anyone else to take care of him... Which is pretty silly, trusting someone who "jokes" about hurting your son... I offered to babysit him but she thinks I'll be too busy with Ellie... which is probably true but at least I won't hurt him! He's only been walking for a few months and my grandma just lets him roam around... I tried to baby-proof our house but she always takes the locks off. We have a lot of drawers within reach that have very heavy and/or dangerous things in them. He's always getting hurt but she just let's him cry. I don't know what to do about it... I do what I can but with Ellie it's hard for me to keep an eye on him. His mom refuses to discipline him so if you tell him "Don't do that", "be quiet", or "stay here" he knows what it means but he doesn't listen...making it that much more difficult for me to keep him around when I'm, say, br___t feeding Ellie and can't move around. Any advice?
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I did a little research on goggle on this matter. I believe postpartum depression can only occur in women who have very recently had a baby. It is said to be mostly caused by the rapidly decreasing hormones. During pregnancy, a womans hormones increase to 10x the norm. They decrease to normal levels within 72 hours. She may very well have some sort of depression, just not postpartum.
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"Postpartum depression (PPD, also called postnatal depression) is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth." If it's just because of hormones why would men get it?
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What i read said the mn only get it when the women get it as well, And it isnt postpartum depression to the exact term. Its just a form of depression. The main cause of it in the new dads was being sleep deprived.
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postpartum means the period just after delivery. So it would be medically impossible for anyone besides a women who has just given birth to suffer from it. But others can suffer from a differen form of depression. Postpartum depression isnt any different from just simply saying depression, its just called that when it occurs after delivery.
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Hmm okay... regardless of what it's called then...?
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Regardless of what its called...what? Im confused, lol.
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Regardless of what it's called, what should I do about it? Haha.
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oh, lol. Well she definately sounds like she needs some help. Do you think you could sit down and talk to her about? I know you said you said she knows its impossible for her to have postpartum depression, but did she deny being depressed all together? Most people who suffer from depression are aware that something isnt right with themselves.Have you confronted her about her "jokes" about hurting herself and your nephew. Do you really think she'd follow through with any of them. Her first reaction will probably be feeling hurt you'd think she could do such a thing. I know alot of mothers who b___stfeed infants while having toddlers. I just dont know how they do it, lol. Do you know of anyone who does? Maybe try posting about it in the infant care and toddler care forums.
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Oh, lol. Well nothing can be done until she herself admits there is a problem. Most people who suffer from depression are aware something isnt right. Maybe you just need to have a straight to the point, heart to heart talk with her.Do you think she'd actually follow through with any of the threats. If so, something needs to be done asap. Her first reaction wil probably be beig hurt you or anyone would thing her capable of such a thing. I know alot of moms b___stfeed infants and have a toddler. I just dont know how the do it, lol. Maybe try posting about it in the infant and toddler care forums.
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I have tried talking to her.. I really don't know if she would follow through with anything but she has had a history of depression, when she was in her teens, then again in her 30's she attempted suicide, and since then she's been bottling everything up. She's 67 so that's a long time to not let anything out, I think my nephew may have been the cherry on the emotional-explosion cupcake. Like I said I've talked to her, I've talked to my sister, and i've tried to take things into my own hands with no success.
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didnt mean to post twice. when i checked the 1st post didnt go through. I guess there isnt really anything you can do then. Just keep a close eye out.
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It sounds more like a form of caregivers stress. You know how they say that depression among caregivers of the elderly is a really serious issue??? Well when they say caregivers it also includes parents dealing with special needs children (especially when the children are grown), and grandparents who have to care for their grandchildren. It is kind of serious but if your sister won't listen and it's her child, what can you really do. Honestly that would almost be an issue for children's services (though I'm not saying to call them because I don't think I would on my sister). The problem is that if something happens and the authorities find out that your grandmother was having these issues and your sister was aware, they could label that as child endangerment for leaving him with an unfit caregiver. You know, it could just be that your grandmother just can't take the stress of caring for a child but feels obligated to try and help. That in itself causes a lot of stress and anxiety and is overwhelming-so much so that sometimes in your head, the only way out is to get rid of the child or hurt yourself. Really, it all boils down to the fact that your grandmother can't handle the stress right now, so she shouldn't be put through it. The only thing that can be done is for someone with authority to stand up to your sister and tell her NO MORE. It's hard, but really that's all that can be done. My family had to get together and do it to my sister and it was the hardest thing for me to have to worry about what my sister was going to do with my niece, but I couldn't take care of her all the time anymore, and my dad had a heart condition and was getting worse and worse and worse trying to take care of her.
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I don't want them to take my nephew away :(
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aww I didn't mean to upset you, it's just someone needs to stand up and help your grandma. So how r things now?
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Still the same, I'm scared to do anything drastic. I just try to keep an eye on him the best I can.
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