Baby Blues or Something More? Understanding Postpartum Mental Health

You expected to feel happy. Maybe you do, sometimes. But you also feel teary, flat, anxious or not quite like yourself. Please know that whatever you are feeling, you are not a bad mum, and you are not alone.

The baby blues

In the first week or so after birth, many mums feel weepy, irritable or overwhelmed. Hormones shift, sleep disappears and life changes overnight. The baby blues usually ease on their own within about two weeks.

When it might be more

Perinatal anxiety and depression are common. PANDA notes they affect up to one in five mums and one in ten dads in Australia. Signs can include:

• Feeling sad, low or numb for most of the day, for more than two weeks
• Constant worry, racing thoughts or panic
• Feeling unable to cope, or like you are not bonding with your baby
• Trouble sleeping even when your baby sleeps
• Pulling away from people you love
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Where to get help

• Talk to your GP, midwife or child health nurse. You can say it in one sentence: "I am not feeling like myself."
• PANDA National Helpline: 1300 726 306
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (healthdirect): 1800 882 436
• Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14
• If you or your baby are in immediate danger, call 000.

Small things that support you while you get support

• Tell one trusted person how you are really feeling
• Eat something, drink water and rest whenever you can
• Get outside, even just for ten minutes with the pram
• Let go of every "should" that is not essential

This article is general information, written by mums for mums. It isn't medical advice. If something doesn't feel right, trust that feeling and talk to your GP, midwife or child health nurse.