The new Mom and the Problem of Baby Blues
Tags: Anger, Babies, Baby Blues, Breastfeeding, Child, Childbirth, children, Health, Home, Kids, Mother, Postnatal, Postpartum depression, Pregnancy
The name Baby Blues, unlike what it seems to suggest, is not a problem in babies. It is essentially the temperamental upsets that a mother experiences following child birth. In a typical case of baby blues, the new mother turns very 
sensitive, easily breaks down and becomes irritable, feels lonely and restless.
Normally, baby blues appear in some new mothers as a result of various anxieties, hormonal changes, unfounded concerns etc. These feelings are only temporary and as they slow down in about a few weeks, the problem automatically fades away.
However, there are possibilities of the baby blues growing into postpartum depression. It is important to watch against this because depression can quickly take deep roots. Postpartum depression is difficult to manage as the patient experiences hallucinations, disappointments, anger etc.
Baby blues will not ordinarily require treatment by healing professionals. There are a few things that can be done at home to mitigate the impact of the problem on the new mom. One way is for the mother to be in the company of the dear and the near ones. In a situation like this, the mother engages herself away from her anxieties or concerns emerging from her new status of motherhood. People around her will mean a big confidence factor to her. The feeling that she has a lot of help and support around her does her a lot of good. This helps in ensuring that the problem does not grow. On the contrary, the process of the baby blues fading out will be catalyzed.
Quite opposed to this, postpartum depression assumes more difficult dimensions and will call for regular involvement of professionals, counseling, medication etc. Apart from the problem of depression, the constant worry, pressure, and discomfort that are experienced by people around the patient will worsen the situation.
One will have to monitor the baby blues because if it is likely to turn into postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis, symptoms will start appearing within three months from the childbirth. These symptoms will need immediate and serious professional intervention.
One need not assume that only new mothers are vulnerable to the problems of baby blues or postpartum depression. They can affect a woman immediately after a miscarriage, or on stopping breastfeeding.
It is also to be understood that ‘new mother’ refers to a neo-natal mother, no matter how many children she would have borne earlier.
Postpartum depression can also be treated in various ways from simple calming activities such as taking a nap to seeking professional counseling and medication. So, to repeat what has already been said, it is always extremely helpful for a neo-natal mother to have people around her and take her mind away from her new status which causes her new inner feelings.
When a new mother experiences unduly anxious feelings as a result of her pregnancy, it is better for her to confer with an experienced professional and make a few little adjustments to enjoy her new role and her time with the new baby.
