On July 31, a mother, Julia, shared a candid TikTok about feeling overwhelmed while caring for her baby. Her video has been resonating with the reality many new parents face, where even getting through the day is the hardest part. Julia described the day as "literally so hard" and said she was feeling "so touched out." She acknowledged that her baby had recently undergone surgery but admitted that she still wanted some time and space to herself.
"Sometimes postpartum is just like, ugh," she said.
The video shows Julia sitting on a couch while holding her infant, as she keeps tapping her hand against her head and looks visibly tired. Text over the image reads, "I need a break."
Her video helps many understand how a difficult postpartum day can be, instead of presenting exhaustion as something that can be solved with a few minutes of self-care. The demands of caring for a newborn can leave parents with little uninterrupted time to eat, sleep, shower, or sit alone.
@juliastorrs713 today is a struggle bus but it will get better! #postpartum #tired #momtok #pov
♬ original sound - Julia | Motherhood + Lifestyle
A CDC-indexed study of 716 mothers interviewed five weeks after childbirth found that 64% reported fatigue, identifying it as the most frequently reported postpartum symptom. The study also found that breastfeeding was associated with greater postpartum symptoms.
Another CDC-indexed study found that fatigue was the most frequently reported childbirth-related symptom at 11 weeks postpartum. It also noted that reduced sleep, child care responsibilities, and recovery from childbirth can lead to more exhaustion.
Such circumstances can make the commonly cited advice to 'rest when the baby rests' difficult to follow in practice. Many parents use those brief windows to eat, shower, clean bottles, or complete other tasks.
Thus, a realistic approach is to lower expectations on particularly difficult days. Prioritizing necessities such as feeding, diapering and keeping the baby safe means nonessential chores can wait. Getting and then accepting help from a partner, relative, or friend can also create an opportunity to sleep, shower or have a few minutes alone.
Brief calming activities, such as slow breathing or stepping away for a few minutes while the baby is safely settled, may also provide a small reset. The goal is just to make an exhausting day manageable.
It is important to distinguish between ordinary postpartum exhaustion and symptoms that persist or significantly interfere with daily functioning. The CDC says postpartum depression can involve intense sadness, anxiety or hopelessness and may interfere with daily activities. It can also include feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of harming oneself or the baby.
ACOG recommends postpartum care that includes assessment for depression and other physical and emotional concerns. New parents experiencing persistent exhaustion, intense sadness, severe anxiety, or difficulty functioning are encouraged to consult a health care provider.
Parents experiencing thoughts of harming themselves or their baby should contact the Postpartum Support International helpline at 1-800-944-4773 or text 'HELLO' to 503-894-9453. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available by call or text at 988.
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the specific events described in Julia's TikTok video. The medical information cited above draws on CDC-indexed research and ACOG guidelines. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
