What Are the “Baby Blues” After Pregnancy?

You’re not alone if you find yourself in the midst of the “baby blues.” While welcoming a newborn into your family is exciting, it’s also normal to feel sad, stressed, or even overwhelmed afterward.

These feelings don’t make you a bad parent or mean that you’ve done anything wrong. They’re often just a natural part of your postpartum recovery.

Let’s explore what the baby blues are, what causes them, and how you can navigate this challenging but temporary phase.

You may experience the baby blues in the first few days and weeks after you give birth. About 75% of people experience these feelings, which usually show within two to three days of delivery and generally fade on their own within about two weeks.

During this time, you might feel happy one moment and in tears the next. The combination of physical postpartum symptoms and your new responsibilities can be intense, but it’s important to remember that for most new moms, these blues are temporary and will resolve as your body and routines begin to adjust.

What are the symptoms of the baby blues?

While everyone experiences the baby blues differently, most women report feeling emotionally fragile and not quite like themselves. As mentioned, you may experience sudden mood swings where you’re joyful one moment, then sad and irritable the next.

You might also feel:

• Like you need to cry for no reason
• Anxious or worried, especially about your baby’s health and safety
• Overwhelmed by the tasks of caring for your newborn
• Restless or unable to sleep, even when you’re exhausted
• Unable to concentrate or make simple decisions
• Nostalgic for parts of your old life and freedom

Can your partner experience the baby blues?

Yes, your partner can also experience their own form of the baby blues (regardless of their gender). Up to 10% of partners experience feelings of sadness or depression after their babies are born. 1

The baby blues usually show up for partners within 3–6 months of their babies being born, though these feelings can also develop up to a year later. 1

Rather than having one sole cause, researchers believe the baby blues are triggered by a combination of physical and emotional changes that happen after you give birth.

Hormonal and physical changes

After you deliver your baby, physical changes in your body can trigger the baby blues, such as: 1

• Your hormones: Your levels of pregnancy hormones like estrogen and progesterone quickly drop in the 24 hours after you give birth, which can cause mood swings. For some women, thyroid hormone levels also dip, which can make them feel fatigued and sad.
• Your physical recovery: As your body heals from the trauma of labor and delivery, you may have to contend with unwelcome postpartum symptoms like cramping, swelling, and diarrhea. You could also experience moderately uncomfortable breast engorgement as your milk comes in. None of this will leave you feeling particularly sunny.
• Exhaustion: One of the biggest reasons that many new moms experience the baby blues is sleep deprivation. Your newborn needs round-the-clock care, and your sleep will almost certainly suffer as a result. As you’re probably well aware, not getting enough sleep can leave you feeling emotionally volatile and irritable.

Emotional and lifestyle adjustments

Along with the physical challenges of the postpartum period, there’s also the emotional challenge of adjusting to being a mother.

Welcoming a newborn baby into your family fundamentally changes your life, and it can be tricky to adjust. You may feel anxious about your baby’s health, your new identity as a parent, or your new routine.

These feelings are often a given for first-time parents, but they may also affect you even if this isn’t your first baby.

It’s easy to confuse the baby blues with a more serious mental health condition called postpartum depression (PPD), as the symptoms are often similar.

The difference between the baby blues and PPD boils down to how long they last and how severe the symptoms are.

• How long they last: The baby blues usually set in quickly after birth and should resolve on their own within a couple of weeks. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, can develop anytime in the first year after your baby is born, and the symptoms can last much longer if you don’t get treatment. If your sadness and anxiety last more than 2 weeks, it’s probably PPD.
• Severity of symptoms: While the baby blues may occasionally make you feel weepy, the symptoms are generally mild and shouldn’t stop you from caring for your baby. PPD is more intense and persistent and can interfere with your ability to function and bond with your baby.

PPD is a serious mood disorder, so you’ll need to get in touch with your doctor if your symptoms go beyond what’s normal for the baby blues.

Again, the baby blues usually pass on their own within a few weeks of giving birth. However, that doesn’t mean you just have to deal with them in the meantime.

As you adjust to your new role, here are a few ways you can ease the emotional burden and get some relief:

• Ask for help (and accept it): You don’t have to do everything yourself. Ask your partner, family, and friends to help you out. Tell them how you’re feeling and what they can do to help, whether that means looking after your baby while you nap, bringing you a home-cooked meal, or handling a nighttime feeding. Most important of all, when people offer to help, take them up on it!
• Rest when you can: As tricky as it may be with a newborn, try to rest whenever you can. You can take naps while your baby is sleeping, and don’t be afraid to leave less important tasks for later.
• Eat well and stay hydrated: Follow a nutritious postpartum diet that’ll keep your energy levels stable, and stock up on healthy snacks. You should also have a water bottle on hand so you’re sufficiently hydrated throughout the day.
• Get moving (within reason): A little gentle movement is a great way to boost your mood. You could go for a light walk or do a few yoga poses. However, you should get the all-clear from your doctor before starting any new exercise routines, especially if you had a C-section.
• Connect with other parents: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is talk to someone who’s in the same boat as you. Express your feelings to your partner, a close friend, or a family member. You could also look for support groups for new moms in your area, or even online if attending an in-person class is too much for you right now.

Although the baby blues usually go away on their own without treatment, you should keep an eye on how you’re feeling. Your first postpartum visit will probably be at 6 weeks, but if you get concerned, you can discuss your mood with your child’s pediatrician at your initial or 2-week well baby visit, too.

It’s a good idea to speak to your doctor if your feelings of sadness last longer than 2 weeks or if:

• Your symptoms are severe or are stopping you from caring for your baby or yourself
• You feel withdrawn and unable to bond with your baby
• You’re eating more or less than usual
• You’re struggling to sleep, even when you’re tired
• You have overwhelming feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
• You’ve lost interest in things you normally enjoy
• You’re frequently anxious about your baby’s health or well-being

All of these can be signs of PPD or another mood disorder like postpartum anxiety. Don’t worry about whether your symptoms are “serious” enough; if you feel something isn’t right, get in touch with your doctor.

Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room immediately if you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. This can be a symptom of postpartum psychosis, a condition that affects some recent moms that is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, or thoughts of harming yourself or your child.

This condition is rare, but it is an emergency if it develops—seek immediate help or call emergency service if it does.

You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate, confidential support.

Even though starting your new life with your baby is exciting, it’s totally normal to feel a little blue at the same time. Fortunately, the baby blues usually pass without treatment within a few weeks, so you should be feeling back to your normal self in no time.

In the meantime, try to rest when you can and let your doctor know if your emotions become too much to handle. Most importantly of all, show yourself a little love. The transition to parenthood is no joke, and you’re handling it like a champ!