
Being a mother while having to repair yourself emotionally and physically is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do.
–B.T.R. Horsham
I remember experiencing the baby blues with both of my kids. Mine showed up in the form of tears. I’d be crying and my husband would ask why I was crying, and I’d replay, “I have no idea!” These tears felt so different to me because outside of this time period, if I was crying, I usually knew exactly why and could typically explain why when asked.
Approximately 75% of moms experience the baby blues during the first two weeks after giving birth, according to Karen Kleiman at The Postpartum Stress Center (www.postpartumstress.com.
During the first two weeks after the birth of your baby, be on the lookout for these common symptoms of the baby blues:
- Sadness
- Crying more than normal
- Feeling worried about something bad happening to your baby
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Frustration
- Irritability
- Anger
- Restlessness
The baby blues may show up for many different reasons including:
- Hormonal changes after giving birth
- A lack of sleep
- Stress in the home
- Transitioning to your new parent role
- Feeling lonely and isolated
- Financial worries
- Health and recovery issues after your baby’s birth (for you and/or your baby)
Your baby blues symptoms should improve and start going away after the first two weeks postpartum. If your symptoms stay or get worse, you’ll want to reach out to your medical practitioner or a perinatal mental health therapist in your area, as you may now be suffering from a PMAD (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder).