The small rhythm my dog creates for me in my daily post-childbirth life.

It is sometimes said that postpartum life changes one's "sense of time."

The distinction between night and day becomes blurred,
sleep is fragmented,
and sometimes a day ends in an instant,
while other days feel unusually long.

Life centered around a baby is precious,
but at the same time, it can feel as if the world has suddenly shrunk.

Amidst such fluctuations,
what role do dogs play?

Postpartum: A time of major changes in both environment and mind

After childbirth, hormonal changes, sleep deprivation,
and feelings of social isolation often overlap,
making it a period when one's emotional state is easily unstable.

Data analysis in Japan also shows a tendency for people living with pets to experience reduced feelings of isolation,
suggesting a possible link to psychological stability.

Of course, that alone cannot explain everything.

However,
having "another presence" in one's life
might subtly influence the structure of the mind.

Dogs can be a trigger to regain a "daily rhythm"

In a life centered around a baby's pace,
one's own sense of time inevitably disappears.

However, dogs
need walks.
They remember meal times.
They demand a daily routine.

Their presence
can create a reason to get some fresh air.

Just 15 minutes of walking with your dog
while pushing a stroller.

It's not a special event.

However,
exposure to the wind and light outdoors
is said to potentially affect mood recovery.

Dogs may function less as
"emotional support"
and more as "a presence that maintains the rhythm of life."

Having a relationship without comparison

After childbirth, information inevitably increases.

Social media.
Opinions of others.
Comparisons with other mothers.

The gaze of "am I doing it right"
can sometimes turn inwards.

Dogs do not compare.

Whether it's a day you did well
or a day you didn't,
their attitude remains the same.

That consistency
may hold surprisingly significant meaning
during the rapidly changing postpartum period.

The reassurance of a baby and a dog in the same space

There are days when the baby won't stop crying.
There are days when you can't keep up with your own emotions.

At such times,
just having a dog quietly lying nearby
can make the atmosphere of the space feel a little different.

It is not a substitute for medical treatment.

However,
having an "untense presence" in daily life
might be an element that creates space in one's mind.

Postpartum fluctuations are not a weakness

Postpartum mental health is not a matter of willpower.

Both the body and environment are undergoing rapid changes.

Amidst all that,
the dog is always there, as usual.

That constancy
can sometimes become a anchor in a continuous stream of change.

If today, you found it a little easier to breathe,
the presence of your dog
might be one of the reasons.

References

Ueda, Y. et al. (2021). Association between Early Life Child Development and Family Dog Ownership. Scientific Reports.

Tsuji, T. et al. (2019). Dog ownership and risk of depression among older adults. Scientific Reports.

Koda, N. et al. (2019). Pet Ownership and Children’s Emotional Expression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.