Baby blues or postnatal depression?
What are the baby blues?
Baby blues are really common. They tend to happen around day three to five after having your baby. Lots of new mothers start to feel tearful, anxious and overwhelmed.
Sometimes it can feel like there is no clear reason for it. There is a reason. It is usually linked to those huge hormonal shifts, often coinciding with when your full milk comes in, at a point where you are also exhausted.
How long do the baby blues last?
They usually ease on their own. The marker to hold on to is about two weeks.
When might it be something more?
It might start to feel like something more if those feelings are lasting beyond two weeks, or if they start to feel heavier and take over.
The things worth paying attention to are feeling low most days, losing interest in things you would usually enjoy, feeling hopeless, or struggling to connect with your baby.
Those can all be signs that point towards postnatal depression. What is really important to know is that it is very common, it is very treatable, and there is no stigma attached to it at all.
Who should I talk to?
Please do reach out to your midwife, your health visitor or your GP. They really do want to hear from you, and they want to give you that support. You do not need to wait for a scheduled appointment to raise it.
What if I am having thoughts of harming myself or my baby?
That is not something to sit with until the next appointment. Contact your GP and ask for an urgent same-day appointment, or call NHS 111. If you or your baby are in immediate danger, call 999. Samaritans are available any time on 116 123.