Postpartum Depression vs. Baby Blues: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Amanda Dowd, Master’s-Level Therapist, Certified Birth Doula
There’s been a lot more talk in the media lately about postpartum depression, shining a spotlight on how giving birth affects mental health. As a clinical mental health therapist and birth doula, I’ve noticed a lot of confusion about what postpartum depression is and how that differentiates from the “baby blues,” so let’s look at how both present and some of the most common postpartum depression symptoms to watch for.
What are baby blues?
Baby blues are normal feelings of tearfulness, overwhelm, and mood swings that occur in the first two weeks after birth. They’re nearly universal and brought on by the dramatic hormonal drop that occurs immediately after delivery, compounded by sleep deprivation, physical recovery from childbirth, and the life changes that occur with having a newborn.
How do you manage the baby blues?
One of the best ways to combat the baby blues is to sleep when the baby sleeps, which might mean letting go of certain household chores – sleep deprivation is a huge trigger for anxiety! If you have difficulty sleeping during the day, lie down in a darkened room and rest rather than trying to get things done.
Accept help from your support system, too – if there’s ever a time to take people up on assistance with laundry, meals, or older children, this is it. Going for a walk isn’t usually advisable in the first 10 days of delivery due to the healing that needs to take place in your uterus, so I usually tell my clients to go for a drive in the passenger seat to get a change of scenery.
After 10 days, try taking a slow walk around the block and see how your body feels while also paying attention to your postpartum bleeding the next day, which is a great way to tell if you’re pushing your body too much.
Finally, talk to others about how you’re feeling. Whether it’s your partner, a friend, or another new parent, connection with others is often the antidote we need to the isolation that can come with having a newborn.
What are postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety?
Postpartum depression or anxiety is more severe and lasts longer than the baby blues, and often involves trouble eating and sleeping, difficulty caring for the baby, feelings of despair, weeping, intrusive thoughts, and generally not feeling like yourself. We don’t know everything that causes PPD and PPA, but we do know that, like the baby blues, they’re linked to the hormonal drops after delivery.
Risk factors of developing PPD and PPA include a lack of support in the postpartum time, significant life events and stress during pregnancy, physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, a traumatic childbirth, and a history of depression and/or anxiety.
The biggest difference between baby blues and postpartum depression/anxiety is that baby blues do not interfere with your ability to care for yourself or the baby, while postpartum depression and anxiety often do.
When should you reach out for help?
I’m a huge proponent of the 3-Day Rule: if you’ve had three bad days in a row where you’re not feeling like yourself, it’s time to seek support. This can mean reaching out to your provider for medication support until your hormones stabilize, contacting a perinatal mental health therapist for specialized talk therapy, and reaching out to your family, friends, or a postpartum doula for day-to-day support.
Don’t wait three days if you’re thinking of harming yourself or the baby, though: that’s an immediate phone call for help.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support. If someone you trust is available, ask them to stay with you and help you get care.
Other signs you need support for postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety:
It’s been more than 2 weeks since your delivery and you’re feeling off. Postpartum Depression can develop anytime in the first year after birth!
Difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is asleep
Difficulty bonding with your baby or feeling emotionally detached
Decreased appetite
Panic attacks or extreme worry about the baby
Persistent catastrophic thinking, e.g. your partner goes to the store and you fear they’ll get into a fatal car accident on the way
Crying frequently for no apparent reason
Feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or hopelessness
After years spent working with expectant and new parents, I'm convinced that with the right support, the fog of postpartum depression can lift. If you're struggling with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or the emotional transition into parenthood, I'd be honored to support you. I provide perinatal therapy for individuals and couples in Nashville and virtually across Tennessee, helping new parents find relief, reconnect with themselves, and feel more confident in this season of life. If you're ready to take the next step, schedule a free 15-minute consultation call or your first session today!
Whether you’re pregnant, navigating postpartum changes, trying to conceive, or holding the emotional weight of becoming a parent, I’m here to support you through a season that can feel overwhelming, confusing, or isolating. In our work together, there is no expectation for you to feel a certain way or to ‘be grateful’ for an experience that feels hard.
Amanda is a doula and therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, including pregnancy, postpartum, fertility stress, pregnancy loss, and birth trauma. She works with adults in Nashville and across Tennessee via telehealth.
If you’re in Tennessee and looking for support:
Learn more about Amanda, a doula and therapist who works with new mothers and perinatal couples
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