Baby Blues, Post Partum Depression and its effect on babies

 

Mrs. Aradhana Dhanyabad

Associate Professor, Jabalpur Institute of Nursing Sciences and Research, Jabalpur

 

ABSTRACT:

The birth of a new baby is supposed to inspire joy and overwhelming love in a mother. But sometimes it doesn't. Some mothers struggle with feeling let down after the birth of their baby. Others feel overwhelmed by lack of sleep. Most often, new mothers tend to feel weepy and moody during the first couple of weeks after childbirth. All of these feelings, known as the "baby blues" or postpartum blues, are normal and up to 85% of new moms experience them. The blues occur soon after a baby's birth and can last up to two weeks. In addition to feeling sad, many women experience exhaustion due to lack of sleep or insomnia. You may also feel irritable, nervous, and/or worried about the awesome responsibility you bear for this new life. Your body changes rapidly after birth due to a sudden drop in hormone levels after the delivery. Physical and emotional changes can also contribute to the blues. Your body is healing from the delivery and as milk comes in, your breasts may become painfully swollen. Added to this is the emotional transition to motherhood as one adjusts to her new routine. The good news is that the baby blues should soon go away on their own. No medical treatment is necessary other than reassurance and support from family and friends, rest, and avoiding isolation.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

After the birth of a baby are not uncommon. While the “baby blues” are the least severe form of postpartum depression, it is important not to ignore the changes that are happening in your body. Many women feel confused about struggling with sadness after the joyous event of adding a new baby to the family and often don’t talk about it. But talking about these emotions, changes, and challenges is one of the best ways to cope with the “baby blues”.

 

When do the “baby blues” occur?

Often the symptoms of “baby blues” will hit forcefully within four to five days after the birth of the baby, although depending on how the birth of the baby went, they may be noticeable earlier.

 

What are the symptoms of “baby blues?”

Symptoms of “baby blues” include:

·       Weepiness or crying for no apparent reason

·       Impatience

·       Irritability

·       Restlessness

·       Anxiety

·       Fatigue

·       Insomnia (even when the baby is sleeping)

·       Sadness

·       Mood changes

·       Poor concentration

 

 

Figure: Baby blues leads to sadness

What causes the “baby blues?”

The exact cause of the “baby blues” is unknown at this time. It is thought to be related to the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and again after a baby is born. These hormonal changes may produce chemical changes in the brain that result in depression.

 

Also, the amount of adjustment that comes after the birth of a baby, along with sleep disturbance, disruption of “routine”, and emotions from the childbirth experience itself can all contribute to how a new mom feels.

 

How long do the “baby blues” last?

The symptoms of the “baby blues” normally occur for a few minutes up to a few hours each day. These symptoms should lessen and disappear within fourteen days after delivery.

 

How can you take care of yourself?

Taking care of mom is the best way to decrease the symptoms of the “baby blues.” There are several different ways that you can care of yourself if you are having the “baby blues.”

·       Talk with someone that you trust about how you are feeling.

·       Maintain a well balanced diet. Having a new baby may cause you not to eat correctly, and too many simple carbohydrates can make mood swings more pronounced.

·       Keep a journal of all your thoughts and feelings.

·       Get outside to enjoy fresh air and life outside the confines of diapers, feedings, and spit up. Sometimes just a different view for a few moments can make a huge difference.

·       Ask for help–help with meals, other children, getting into a “routine”, or any help that allows you to focus on the joy of having a new baby and not just the pressure of juggling it all.

·       Don’t expect perfection in the first few weeks. Give yourself time to heal from birth, to adjust to your new “job,” and for feeding and sleeping routines to settle in.

 

It is important to remember that you are not alone in your feelings. If your symptoms last longer than fourteen days it could be an indication of a more serious condition, such as postpartum depression. Be honest with your care provider at all your follow up appointments. Remember you are not going to shock them with your feelings. They speak with postpartum women all the time and can evaluate how you are doing if you are honest about where you are at.

 

Baby blues and post partum depression:

The ‘baby blues’ is a mild form of postpartum depression that many new moms experience. It usually starts one to three days after the birth, and lasts for about 10 days to a few weeks. With baby blues, many women have mood swings – they’re happy one minute and crying the next. They may feel anxious, confused, or have trouble eating or sleeping. The baby blues is very common – up to 80% of new moms have it, and it will go away on its own.

 

About 13% of new mothers experience postpartum depression, which is more serious and lasts longer. It can start up to a few months after childbirth. If you have a family history of depression or have suffered from depression before, you’re more at risk. Postpartum depression needs to be treated.

 

Some of the symptoms of postpartum depression include:

·       Feelings of inadequacy (like you are not able to care for your baby);

·       Extreme anxiety or panic;

·       Having trouble making decisions;

·       Feeling sad;

·       Hopelessness; and

·       Feeling out of control.

 

 

Figure: Decreased level of concentration.

 

How postpartum depression affect the children?

It’s important to remember that depression is treatable. But if depression is not treated, children will be affected. Other things in a woman’s life may make the depression worse, such as financial or marital problems, or a very stressful life event (such as the death of a loved one).

 

Depression can cause mothers to be inconsistent with the way they care for their children. They may be loving one minute and withdrawn the next. They may not respond at all to their children’s behaviour or they may respond in a negative way. Depending on how old children are, they will be affected by their mother’s depression in different ways.

 

Babies:

Attachment is a deep emotional bond that a baby forms with the person who provides most of his/her care (usually the mother). A ‘secure attachment’ forms when a mother responds to her baby’s needs consistently in warm and sensitive ways. Holding, rocking or talking softly to a baby all help promote attachment. Attachment helps provide a solid base from which a baby can explore the world. It makes a baby feel safe and secure, and helps them learn to trust other people.

 

A mother who is depressed may have trouble responding to her baby in a loving and caring way all the time. This can lead to an ‘insecure attachment’, which can cause problems during infancy and later in childhood.

 

Babies who don’t develop secure attachment may:

·       Have trouble interacting with their mother (they may not want to be with their mother, or may be upset when with them),

·       Have problems sleeping,

·       May be delayed in their development,

·       Have more colic,

·       Be quiet or become passive, or

·       Develop skills or reach developmental milestones later than other babies.

 

Toddlers and preschoolers whose mothers are depressed may:

·       Be less independent,

·       Be less likely to socialize with others,

·       Have more trouble accepting discipline,

·       Be more aggressive and destructive, or

·       Not do as well in school.

 

School-aged children may:

·       Have behaviour problems,

·       Have trouble learning, 

·       Have a higher risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),

·       Not do as well in school, or

·       Have a higher risk of anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

 

How is Depression Treated?

With treatment, most people recover from depression. Treatment often includes one or more of the following:

 

Medication: 

The drugs used most often to treat depression are called tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

 

Individual Therapy: 

Talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist or other professional.

 

Family Therapy: 

Involves others in the family, like a partner or children. This may be helpful when children are older.

 

Social Support: 

Such as community services or parenting education.

 

REFERENCES:

1.      https://www.asu.edu/courses/css335/smythe.htm

2.      https://americanpregnancy.org/first-year-of-life/baby-blues/

3.      https://www.medicinenet.com/g00/script/main/art.asp?articlekey

4.      https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/baby-blues

5.      https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/postpartum-depression-and-the-baby-blues.htm/

 

 

Received on 27.03.2019          Modified on 06.05.2019

Accepted on 24.06.2019     © A&V Publications all right reserved