I’m feeling sad (or anxious, or overwhelmed) what should I do?

By Ann Bacon, Registered Nurse, Chair of WGH Advisory Board

Having a new baby brings with it a lot of different emotions. A combination of postnatal hormonal changes, lack of sleep, change in routines, responsibilities, and relationships can make this time feel overwhelming. You are not doing anything wrong in feeling these feelings. The period of adjustment during the “fourth trimester” is a challenging time for all parents. At some point within 2 weeks after your baby’s birth, you may find yourself feeling a bit low, and many new mothers find they may cry more easily. Don’t worry. This is very common. This period, often known as the “Baby Blues,” can last for a few days or even a few weeks.

These feelings can be a signal to take it a bit easy. Don’t try to rush getting “back to normal” by doing too much. Adjusting to the slow (sometimes monotonous:)) rhythms of the newborn phase give you and your baby time to adapt to their new environment and develop your new relationship together. If you can, try to sleep (or even just rest) when your baby sleeps. Accept help from others to allow yourself the chance to recover from the demands of pregnancy and childbirth. Make sure to eat nourishing foods and drink plenty of water/fluids to help with breast milk production.

However, if feelings of anxiety and sadness persist, please talk to your midwife or doctor. They are very experienced in helping new mothers manage these emotional challenges and there are many options to help you get through this period.

Learn more:

• How can I have my partner more involved?
• Why is my baby crying so much? What can I do to help them?
• How do I get my newborn to sleep so I can sleep?