Beat the baby blues

Your life is perfect – you’ve just had the most beautiful baby and you have the most loving and supportive partner, friends and family. And yet you feel incredibly moody and depressed and you find yourself crying at the drop of a hat. What’s wrong with you?

Nothing. This is a perfectly normal condition which as many as 80% of all new mothers suffer from. It’s called the ‘baby blues’ or ‘postpartum blues’ and you should not feel guilty at all if you are going through it during the first few weeks after your baby is born.

You’re doing a great job of being a mother – trust us! – even though you’re constantly tired and may be feeling irritable, anxious and trapped. This is completely natural during this transition period as your hormone levels are changing and feelings of physical and mental exhaustion may overcome you frequently.

You may even have doubts about your ability to raise your little one properly. But don’t worry – you have accomplished something amazing and you’re being an incredible, caring and capable mother to your child.

The baby blues can hit anyone, even women who are not usually prone to depressive moods. We have some simple ideas that you may find helpful in this situation: 

Understand what's happening

For many women, the baby blues comes as a complete surprise. Try not to let it bowl you over completely when it hits by recognising it for what it is: a natural process that is temporary and very common. Read up on the topic to find out what other women experience. And don’t be shy to express your emotions in a save space with your loved ones. Letting yourself cry and talk about your feelings will help you deal with them.

You're not alone

Millions of new mothers have felt exactly like you are feeling right now. Talk to other mothers – new and not so new – and share your experiences with them. Speaking to someone who understands what you’re going through because they’ve been there themselves is priceless. Getting out of the house to meet with other moms and friends will go a long way to making you feel less isolated and lonely, so why not join a moms and tots group and have regular lunch dates with friends.

Speak to your loved ones

Your partner is likely to be as confused about the changes you are going through as you are. Reassure them by letting them know that what’s happening is normal and will pass. It might be a good idea to ask them to read up on the baby blues and suggest simple, practical ways in which they can help you, for instance by simply listening to your concerns earnestly and sharing as many baby duties with you as possible.

Be kind to yourself

Don’t beat yourself up over the way you are feeling right now. You're not doing anything wrong. We know that you are being a wonderful mother. Try to keep a positive outlook, even at times when you’re feeling at your most vulnerable. Try to focus on the important bits and don’t sweat the little things – you’ll have plenty of time to deal with them when you’re feeling better.

Speak to your doctor

If you still feel depressed and anxious more than two or three weeks after your baby was born, visit your doctor for advice. If you or other members of your family have a history of depression and if negative thoughts and feelings remain for an extended period of time, a medical professional may be able to suggest effective ways to address these issues.

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