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"Baby Blues" is not considered a disorder although it can
occur in about 80% of mothers. The usual onset is within the first week of
the birth of your child. Symptoms may persist for up to three weeks.
Symptoms:
- Mood instability
- Weepiness
- Crying spells
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Lack of concentration
- Feelings of dependency
Causes:
- Rapid change in hormones
- Physical and emotional
stress of birthing
- Physical discomforts following the birthing
- Emotional letdown after pregnancy and birth
- Awareness and anxiety about increased
responsibility
- Fatigue and sleep deprivation
- Disappointments including the birth, spousal
support, and nursing
What you can do to help decrease symptoms?
- Nap when the baby does
- Ask your spouse, friends or family for help with
chores and/or the baby
- Join a support group of new moms
- Stop putting pressure on yourself to do
everything
- Get dressed and take your baby for a walk
- Arrange for someone to watch your baby so you can get some time alone
- Re-evaluate your choice of feeding: breast/bottle
-- how is this affecting you?
Read more about
Postpartum Depression |
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