Baby blues what is normal

It's around this time you may experience the 'baby blues'. The baby blues can start anywhere between 3 to 10 days after the birth of your baby and usually last for 2 to 3 days. Many women get the baby blues. You may feel teary, anxious and irritable and your mood can go up and down. Feeling teary can be worse if your labour was difficult, you are very tired or you have other worries, such as problems breastfeeding.

Usually the baby blues will pass and the most effective treatment is support from your partner, family and friends. You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on to speak to a maternal child health nurse. Baby blues that lasts for longer than 2 weeks may be a sign that you are developing postnatal depression. Postnatal depression can develop at anytime during the first year after having a baby.

It's important that you and your partner, along with your family and friends are aware of the signs of postnatal depression and seek help if you feel you are concerned. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby offers non-judgmental emotional support during pregnancy and parenting for when you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read the latest news and articles about perinatal anxiety and depression. New mum Shannon shares her experience. It is thought to be related to the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and again after a baby is born. These hormonal changes may produce chemical changes in the brain that result in depression. These symptoms should lessen and disappear within fourteen days after delivery.

It is important to remember that you are not alone in your feelings. If your symptoms last longer than fourteen days it could be an indication of a more serious condition, such as postpartum depression. Be honest with your care provider at all your follow up appointments.

Remember you are not going to shock them with your feelings. They speak with postpartum women all the time and can evaluate how you are doing if you are honest about where you are at. If taken during the prenatal period, studies have shown that the Omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA, may lower the risk of pre-term birth and lower the risk of postpartum depression in new mothers. Additionally, inadequate maternal intake of Omega-3s has also been linked to child-onset Type 1 Diabetes.

DHA is important for the development of the central nervous system in all mammals. There is an enormous growth spurt in the human brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months, with a large increase in the cerebral content of Arachidonic Acid AA and DHA. As with so many postpartum issues, the baby blues mostly come down to hormones NHS Choices, b.

They happen after the sudden drop in your hormone oestrogen and chemical levels just after you give birth. Your oestrogen levels drop more than fold in the first three days after your baby is born Dowlati, et al The good news is that for most women, the symptoms will pass in a few days.

So ride it out by doing anything you need to feel better. The baby blues can be a risk factor for postnatal depression NHS Choices, a. Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby. Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

After delivery, the amount of the hormones estrogen and progesterone suddenly decreases, causing mood swings. For some people, the hormones made by the thyroid gland may drop sharply, which can make them feel tired and depressed. Not getting enough sleep and not eating well can add to these feelings. Emotional issues are another possible cause of the baby blues.

You may be nervous about taking care of your new baby or be worried about how your life has changed since the baby was born. These thoughts can make you feel sad or depressed. You may be more at risk for feeling sad after having your baby if you felt depressed during a different pregnancy or at other times in your life. If you feel scared or out of control, tell your provider. Up to 10 percent of partners can have feelings of sadness or depression after the birth of a baby.

It happens most often during the first 3 to 6 months after the baby is born, but can develop up to a year afterward. Lack of sleep, relationship problems or stress can also cause the baby blues. Male partners also may have the baby blues because of hormone changes during and after the baby is born.

Testosterone levels may drop and estrogen levels may rise in new fathers. Other hormones, such as cortisol, vasopressin and prolactin, may rise. All of these hormone changes can cause depression. The baby blues usually go away on their own without treatment. Here are some things you can do to feel better:. Call your provider if you have any of the symptoms of baby blues or postpartum depression, especially if your symptoms:. Get expert tips and resources from March of Dimes and CDC to increase your chance of having a healthy, fully-term pregnancy and baby.

BabyLiveAdvice lets you tap into a virtual network of nurses, midwives, lactation consultants, nutritionists and health professionals for support when you need it most. Create a Facebook fundraiser to let friends and family know you're donating your birthday so more babies can have theirs.

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