When is it more than the baby blues?

The postpartum period can be a time of high emotion. Life changes, upheaval, and hormonal adjustments can all contribute to feelings of overwhelm and play a role in postpartum depression (PPD).

Postpartum Support International is the USA partner organization for the global maternal mental health task force and they have suggested some answers to commonly asked questions. We’ve collated the top five for you to consider in deciding when, if, and what treatment you may consider.

We’re coming to you today with a Public Service Announcement: Basic grooming, personal hygiene, eating, sleeping and running errands for your family is NOT self-care!

At New Mom School we are on a mission to educate moms on what self-care really looks like and to give you the tools and the resources to ensure you get enough of it!

Because if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!

WHEN IT’S MORE THAN THE “BABY BLUES”

Here’s a fun fact: there are just shy of 4 million babies born every year in the United States.

That means almost 4 million women become mothers or add to their families, annually.

A not-so-fun fact: of those 4 million women, as many as 1 in 5 will experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. Furthermore, it is thought 7 in 10 women hide or downplay their symptoms.

Despite this, postpartum mental health is not discussed nearly enough.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends in order to optimize the health of women and infants, postpartum care should become an ongoing process, rather than a single encounter, with services and support tailored to each woman’s individual needs—and we agree wholeheartedly. Keep reading more to discover information about Postpartum Mood Disorders.

Your newborn is a precious addition to the world but also requires an adjustment to your daily schedule. Here are some essential tips that should help.

1. Don’t try and force a schedule.

Infants are demanding but that should be expected. Though you may desire a certain schedule of your own, do your best not to force a schedule on your newborn. It can take weeks, sometimes months, to know your baby’s needs. Go easy on yourself and give it time to learn what they’re telling you.

Let your baby eat whenever he or she wants without applying a regular timetable. Before you know it, you’ll be in a nice rhythm. You can expect that your infant may require to eat more often than you think, especially during the first month or so.