Do You Have the Baby Blues or Something More?
Life with a newborn is challenging. It requires around-the-clock care and functioning with little sleep while the birthing parent recovers from significant physical and hormonal changes.
Most people have heard of postpartum depression, but you may not be as familiar with the baby blues, which are temporary emotional shifts that happen shortly after someone gives birth. Nearly experience the baby blues, so remember, you’re not alone.
“Baby blues are incredibly common, more so than postpartum depression or anxiety,” says , a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner at СAPP. “They’re usually pretty mild, and people are still able to do their normal daily activities, as much as one can as a postpartum parent, while postpartum depression and anxiety can be much more intense and debilitating.”
Understanding Baby Blues
The birth of your child is a joyous occasion, so why aren’t you feeling happy? You may feel sad, anxious, irritable, and then guilty for experiencing those emotions instead of joy. Feeling these emotions after giving birth does not mean that you are a bad parent or did anything wrong.
While the exact cause of the baby blues is not fully understood, a factor likely contributing to these emotional changes are the hormonal shifts that happen after birth. Add sleep deprivation, healing from birth, and adjusting to a major life change—no wonder you might feel overwhelmed or not quite like yourself in the early postpartum days.
“You go through the physical toll of labor, and then you have a newborn who wants to feed every two hours,” Cole explains. “So people are just utterly exhausted, which can definitely cause mood changes. Being a parent is a whole new experience, and it’s totally normal to feel unsure, anxious, or overwhelmed whenever you’re doing something new, especially when you’re trying to learn how to take care of a new baby.”
Common signs of the baby blues are:
- Feeling sad
- Being grumpy or impatient
- Crying for no reason
- Mild anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Trouble focusing
Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
While baby blues are normal and often go away on their own, it’s important to understand when you might be experiencing something more serious that requires care from a medical professional, such as postpartum depression.
When to See a Doctor
It’s always OK to ask for help. Make an appointment with your provider or a perinatal mental health specialist if:
- Your symptoms worsen
- You don’t feel better after two weeks
- You’re struggling with daily tasks
- You’re having a hard time caring for yourself or your baby
If you’re unsure whether you have the baby blues or postpartum depression, your obstetric provider or your baby’s pediatrician can help you determine if what you’re experiencing is a normal part of postpartum parenthood or something more serious.
If you have any thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, immediately call 911 or go to a local mental health crisis care center. Ensure your baby is safe with your partner or another trusted adult.
Many resources are available for new parents who may be experiencing perinatal mental health challenges as they adjust to parenthood, including:
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free and confidential crisis line number that is staffed with mental health professionals 24/7.
- offers resources for new parents worldwide and can connect you to local support groups and treatment centers.
- The is similar to the 988 crisis line in that it offers free and confidential support 24/7. However, this number is staffed with professionals who are specifically trained in postpartum mental health. You can call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA for help.
Having the baby blues isn’t easy, but it’s normal and will likely resolve on its own. However, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you think you may be experiencing something more serious.
