Mental Wellbeing with a New Baby
Although being a new mom is exciting – at last you’re holding your baby in your arms after a long nine months of waiting! – it can also be overwhelming.
Nothing and no one can prepare you for the grind of 24-7 babycare, and it leaves you feeling so tired it’s common to feel down.
Baby blues
Many new moms suffer from the 'baby blues'. It’s caused in part by adjusting to a new baby but mainly caused by huge changes in their hormone levels. It occurs in up to two thirds of new moms and is more likely to affect first-time moms and those who experience pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). The usual symptoms last for a few days postpartum, and include feeling weepy, cranky and miserable.
The baby blues usually clear up quickly – but if your symptoms continue you should consult your physician, as you may have postpartum depression and will need extra help and support. Many women have found cranial osteopathy, herbal remedies and homeopathy helpful when dealing with mild baby blues but if you do try complementary therapies it’s best to consult a registered practitioner.
Postpartum depression
If your baby blues don’t ease by two or three weeks after the birth, you may have postpartum depression. It affects up to 20 percent of all new moms and is more likely if you have a past history of depression; have undergone big life changes during pregnancy; are lacking support at home; if the baby was unplanned or unwanted; and the baby has health problems. Even without those risk factors, the stress and responsibility of motherhood may be enough for some women to feel this way.
The important thing is to talk to somebody about how you’re feeling. The symptoms are very similar to those that accompany depression during pregnancy, but in addition you may experience feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and inability to cope with the demanding task of being mom to a new baby.
The reality of life with a newborn is often a shock to first-time moms and can stir negative feelings. Your mood will be affected by lack of sleep and the sheer enormity of the fact that your baby is totally dependent on you. Anxiety is another very common symptom: the fear of something harmful happening to your baby can make you feel tense and tearful and lead to panic attacks.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or feel you are unable to cope you must seek medical advice. This does NOT mean you are a bad mother.
Why not chat to other moms about this or other topics, by leaving a message on our chat forum? Alternately, if you want to meet other moms in your area with similar age babies, visit our people section to find out what is happening in your area, or join or start one of our groups. If you have any unanswered questions, use our questions page to gain wisdom from other moms or our resident experts for all those pregnancy or baby-related niggles.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional
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Last Modified: 23/06/2008
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