The first weeks after the birth of a baby can be exciting and stressful for a woman. You may be blessed with a beautiful baby and a loving partner, but you find yourself crying over things that usually don't bother you. Childbirth causes changes to your body and to your emotions. These changes may leave you feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused. These feeling are sometimes called the baby blues.


How often do women experience the baby blues?

About 80% of mothers feel the "baby blues" or postpartum blues 3-5 days after giving birth.

What are the symptoms of baby blues?

The symptoms are:

• Rapid mood swing - feel happy one minute and sad the next
• Cry for no reason
• Feel helpless, worried, irritable, or anxious
• Have sleeping problems

What causes baby blues? 

After birth, your body changes rapidly. Your hormone levels drop, your milk comes in and your breasts may become engorged, and you may feel exhausted. These physical realities can bring on the baby blues.

Emotional factors also contribute to the blues. You may feel anxious about your baby's well-being, your transition to motherhood, or adjusting to your new routine. Your new responsibilities can feel overwhelming.


How to get rid of baby blues

Baby blues aren't an illness and they will go away on their own. No treatment is necessary other than reassurance, support from family and friends, rest, and time.

Give yourself time

Grant yourself permission to take the time you need to become a mother. Pregnancy lasts nine months and your baby's actual birth is only a moment but becoming a mother takes time. Motherhood is an immense responsibility. No wonder it produces such emotional and physical change.

Talk to someone who understands

Talk to siblings, relative or friend with young children about what you are feeling. Someone who has experienced the baby blues can help you realize that they are temporary and everything will be fine.

Tell Daddy what he can do to help

It's very important that your spouse or partner be there for you right now. He can take care of your baby so you can sleep or take a shower.

Accept help from others

Family and friends are often happy to help if you just ask. So, go ahead and ask kindly for what you want, whether it's watching your baby so that you can nap, taking your older child to the park, or helping you make a meal.

Sleep and rest

Sleep is very important for your physical and mental health.


What is Postpartum Depression? 

Postpartum depression is more serious than the baby blues. Women with postpartum depression have stronger feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety, or irritability. Approximately 10-15% of mothers experience postpartum depression in the first year after giving birth. It can occur after the birth but symptoms typically begin 2 or 3 weeks after giving birth.


How to treat postpartum depression?

Treatment of postpartum depression depends on the severity of the symptoms. With extra help caring for the newborn and emotional support for mother, these feelings usually pass quickly. However, when depression deepens and persists for more than a short time, more active treatment is needed. If the depression remains mild enough for the woman to function, she may benefit from skilled psychotherapy. However, if there are clear symptoms of more severe major depression, experts recommend combining carefully selected antidepressant medication with counseling and support.