Babyblues: postpartum and depression
Finally the baby has arrived – but where is the joy and excitement? For many new mothers, the period directly after the birth is an emotional rollercoaster. Not sure how to cope with your feelings either? This article provides guidance and some useful tips.
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Short and simple
Many mothers feel sad after the birth.
This is called the baby blues.
Usually they only last for a few days.
The body needs time to adjust.
Get plenty of rest and accept help.
What are typical symptoms of the baby blues and how long do they last?
People suffering from the baby blues often find that their joy about the arrival of the baby is also accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Exhaustion
- Unexplained sadness and sudden episodes of crying
- Feelings of depression
- Strong mood swings and irritability
- Fears and worries
- Anxiety
In most cases, the symptoms occur two to three days after the birth and subside again after a few hours or days. No medical treatment is required.
Causes of the baby blues
The term «baby blues» refers to a short, temporary period of low mood that is usually caused by hormonal changes in the mother’s body. After the birth, levels of the pregnancy hormones progesterone and oestrogen fall sharply as the body prepares for breastfeeding. The body has to adapt to the new situation and completely alter its hormonal balance within a very short time.
Alongside all the physical changes in the mother, the parents are also under a lot of pressure mentally. They have to get used to a completely new situation in life. Suddenly they are responsible for a newborn baby who has turned their accustomed day and night rhythm upside down and needs a lot of care and attention. Problems with breastfeeding, pain from birth injuries, false expectations and a lack of support can exacerbate the situation. No wonder the mother’s feelings start to go haywire.
Six active steps to alleviate the emotional chaos
The baby blues are not a disease, so there is nothing to be worried about. However, there are things that you can do to make this intense time more pleasant:
- Rest and recovery: The birth is an enormous feat for the mother’s body. Get as much rest and sleep as possible in the first few days after the birth.
- Physical contact: Spend as much time as possible cuddling with your baby. The skin-to-skin contact will help you to build a secure and close bond with your child and will have a positive impact on both your mental health and your child’s mood.
- Social support: Talk about your feelings to your partner and share your worries and fears. You should also talk to family members and friends who are close to you.
- Accept your feelings: Do not feel guilty if your happiness as a mother is also accompanied by tears of sadness and exhaustion in the initial days after the birth. Remind yourself that the baby blues affect a great many new mothers. It is fine to cry if you feel like crying or simply accept your feelings when your mood is low. Give yourself time to learn to cope with the new situation.
- Free up space: Do yourself a good deed on a regular basis, such as treating yourself to a short walk in the fresh air.
- Accept help: You and your child are the priority now. If your neighbour offers to do your shopping or your friends want to cook for you, accept their help.
You can also ask your midwife or a mothers’ and fathers’ advice centre for additional advice or read the article «The postnatal period – the important time after the birth», which provides additional recommendations and information
The CONCORDIA mental health check can offer guidance on coping with the mental burden.What to do if the baby blues do not subside
Checked by Pro Juventute!
Experts from our partner Pro Juventute have checked this text for factual accuracy.
