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Parenting5 min read
Postpartum Mental Health: What's Normal and When to Get Help
Recognizing baby blues vs. postpartum depression.
Mental health struggles are common postpartum. Here's what to know.
Baby Blues (Normal)
Affects up to 80% of new parents. Mood swings, crying, anxiety, difficulty sleeping. Starts within days of birth, resolves within 2 weeks.
Postpartum Depression (Needs Help)
Affects 10-15% of new parents. Symptoms: persistent sadness, hopelessness, difficulty bonding, severe anxiety, thoughts of self-harm. Lasts beyond 2 weeks.
Postpartum Anxiety
Racing thoughts, constant worry about baby's safety, physical symptoms (racing heart, nausea), difficulty relaxing.
When to Get Help
- Symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks
- Difficulty functioning daily
- Thoughts of harming yourself or baby
- Feeling disconnected from baby
Treatment works. Call your OB, midwife, or a mental health professional.