You may have heard of the Baby Blues, a very common experience for postnatal mothers. Your new bundle of joy turns your world upside down, and adjusting to these changes while going through extreme hormonal fluctuations and sleep deprivation would put a damper on anyone’s mood. However, seven to ten days in, things settle, the cloud lifts, and you can go back to being a happy new mom.
But what if that doesn’t happen? For one out of 10 women, the Baby Blues don’t just go away. Instead, they may stick around for weeks, or even months. This indicates a much more serious condition, known as postpartum depression. While all new moms can use a helping hand, women facing postpartum depression will need extra support to manage their condition.
Differences between Baby Blues and postpartum depression
At a very basic level, the main difference is duration. Baby Blues should dissipate after about two weeks. However, there are also notable differences earlier on that can signal that a new mother is actually struggling with depression.
For example, mothers with the Baby Blues tend to have rapid mood swings. They may go through feelings of joy, worry, and euphoria within a short period. This occurs in part to the sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone levels as well as very real emotional concerns about being a good parent.
On the other hand, women with postpartum depression generally feel sad and have persistent negative thoughts. They may also have difficulty caring for themselves or their child. In severe cases, parents may have intrusive thoughts about harming themselves or their child. Anyone who experiences these types of symptoms should tell their doctor right away. If you are not sure which condition you are experiencing, you can take a postpartum depression test online and discuss the results with your medical provider.
Treating Postpartum Depression
Managing postpartum depression requires holistic treatment, as well as support from the other parent, family members, and friends.
Catch up on sleep
Since sleep deprivation is a significant contributor to post-partum depression, new mothers must make sure they get as much sleep as they can. A common rule of thumb is to sleep whenever the baby sleeps. If possible, mothers can arrange for a trusted babysitter to get a few hours of rest during the day.
Eat well
Both the Baby Blues and postpartum depression affect a mother’s appetite. Some women will binge on comfort foods, while others may lose their appetite altogether. Either scenario will exacerbate symptoms like mood swings and irritability. Maintaining a diverse and nutrient-rich diet is as important in the postnatal stage as it was during conception and pregnancy. In addition to avoiding caffeine and alcohol, new moms should incorporate fresh produce and high-protein foods like eggs and lean meats into their diets. Some women may benefit from taking supplements, but this should only be done under a doctor’s supervision.
Stay connected
Social support networks are so important for new parents, especially if one or both partners is struggling with postpartum depression. Even though depression can make people withdraw from their family and friends, reaching out to other people is key.
Factors that can reduce your ability to access social support, like living far away from family, can increase the risk of developing postpartum depression. In this case, joining a new parent support group can be a wonderful source of connection. This can even work for people with family and friends nearby, as it is always beneficial to talk to people going through the exact same life stage.
Be open
All new parents want to be the absolute best caregiver to their child, but unrealistic expectations do more harm than good. Every child is an individual and every pregnancy is different, so even experienced parents may find themselves overwhelmed when their new baby arrives.
Raising a newborn is hard in the most ideal circumstances. Throw in any other life hurdle, like a job loss or marital problems, and things can feel close to impossible. The best thing new parents can do is cut themselves some slack. Accept that there will be ups and downs, and good days will follow bad ones.
Being open to help is also essential. No one is expected to handle postpartum depression on their own. Talk to your partner and loved ones about your feelings and accept help when it is offered.
Prioritize the baby
When the baby arrives, there will be a lot more demands on your time and energy, both of which are limited in supply. Other tasks, like household chores, will need to go on the backburner for a bit.
Caring for yourself and the baby will be the main priority for some time. Delegate as much of your other responsibilities as you can. Friends and family will happily take some tasks off your hands.
If that’s not an option, take advantage of online services that will deliver your groceries or send premade meals to your door.
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