How to deal with baby blues and what is postnatal depression?

Baby blues & Postnatal depression

Hello Gentle women and welcome to mumablogger. In today's post we are going to tell you about Baby Blues And Postnantal Depression 

To,
My dear Gentle woman,

We all go through so much at each stage of life. We all need help from our loved ones at each step. We women are superwoman because of the multi tasking ability we have. Likewise motherhood is also significant stage of life. Many women struggle to conceive. Many women struggle to deliver the baby safely but the struggle doesn't end just here. The real struggle starts here. One of the most important part is looking after the new born baby during first two months after it's birth. We usually hear in news a new mother has dumped baby in trash bin or killed it. Sometimes we hear the new mother has killed herself as well as the new born. This need to be stopped. With little bit of help, care and understanding we can over come this issue called as baby blues or postnatal depression.
Here is our little contribution towards successfully taking care of new born baby's life during first two months and embrace the motherhood.

Nowadays postpartum depression is growing topic of concern. It's getting severe in recent years because of several factors like lifestyle changes, eating habits, cultural and social differences and other likely factors.


1.What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is negative changes in behaviour after giving birth to baby. These negative behavioural changes can be anxiety, overwhelming, irritation, depression and others. I personally believe postpartum depression is more of psychological problem than physiological.
These symptoms occur frequently in approximately 30-80% of women but after a short period of time they may become less and disappear. For some new mothers, these feelings may not disappear and develop a condition known as postnatal depression or postpartum depression.
The 'baby blues' is not a serious issue but postnatal depression does not go away quickly and new mothers are likely to need additional support like love, care, understanding and most importantly help.
In country like India previously there was system of joint family. Thus, then It wasn't difficult to look after the new born baby. There would be many family members to take care of baby along with mother. This could give new mother some time to rest. But now the times are changing and we all are living into nuclear family. Just Mother and father looks after the new born.
New mother has already gone through so much from past nine months and even during the process of birth that all she looks forward for is rest. Let the delivery be vaginal or C - section you need to take care of the stitches. It's such a big task for a new mother to look after stitches, her baby and also taking rest.

2.Why resting is biggest issue?


When you opt for breastfeeding mother has to completely attend the baby during night and day. You can either go for formula milk (powder milk) or breast pump the milk. We all know that mothers milk is best for babies. So if you are already lactating you can choose to breast pump the milk so that anybody can feed your baby while you rest.
Not only breastfeeding or putting your baby to sleep is only concern during this phase. The mother and father both might be new for this situation and know less about it. Even though it is second child you are suppose to learn pattern of your baby or fix some schedule. Which is also not possible before baby gets one month old. Along with this new mother has to follow particular diet so that she can produce enough breast milk. She also has to avoid few eating patterns as well as certain eatables which is not good for baby's health and herself. Now all this is already hectic for the new mother.
These common reasons can cause mood swings or other symptoms related to baby blues or postnatal depression.

3.How to deal with baby blues?



          As Baby Blues is a temporary issue it can be tackled by taking help of mother or mother in law. I suggest you to call your mother at your place or you shift at hers.

Why to take help from mother and not mother in law?.
Firstly you can completely rely on your mother and ask her for help even in the middle of the night. You can simply ask your mother to be there for you 24x7. In other case you might hesitate to take complete help from your mother in law. If you can't take help of your them hire a nurse or a full time maid who can help you with baby's nursing as well as household work. You can even take help from your friends.

4.What if you are alone?

If you are alone then make sure baby is your priority. Don't worry if house is messy or household chores are pending. You don't have to be perfect at everything now. Let a month get passed and everything will be fine. You will learn your baby's pattern. Your baby will also start getting adjusted with everything.

Husband and postnatal depression

Husband, Mother or mother in law plays important role during this phase. Husbands should try to understand new mother's situation and try to give as much as attention, love,care and help. This will reduce her stress. They can share responsibilities and support her. He should calm her with love. Keep some patience and read helpful contents on internet or friends who have already gone through it. So it will be easy to nurse baby in the initial month when the new mother is handling so much.

5.What should new mother ignore?

If relatives and friends are visiting you don't pay attention to their comments regarding baby. They might comment on your baby's skin tone, weight, hair or literally anything. Don't get fret about it. Just ignore their comments.

6.What will help you during this phase?

Talk to someone who will comfort you. Take advice's from elderly persons. Ask doubts to them. You can read relative books. Which can help you to take proper care of your new born baby. You may read any book which  can comfort you. Watch television or your favourite movie,show,Netflix or chat with your friends, relatives, neighbours’. Express yourself wherever and whenever you can. Keeping your feelings to yourself can only make you more frustrated or depressed. Try to focus on positive things. Happier you are it will be easier to bond with your new born. Read internet blogs how to survive first month of newly born.

What will concern you about your baby in the first month?

Is she getting enough milk?. If you are breastfeeding then this will definitely concern you and may frustrate you at some point. New mothers who's breast doesn't leak worry whether their baby is getting enough milk or not?

7.What to do in this situation?

1. You might not have breast milk first three days but still feed your baby every 2 hr or as per need.
2. Once you get enough milk in the day time feed every 2 hr or as per baby's need. At night feed sometimes. Other times ask your husband,mother,nurse to formula feed your baby. This can give you few time to hours.
3. Wet diapers are best sign that your baby is getting enough milk, Consult a doctor when baby gets one month old.
4. If you think you are not getting enough milk. Still feed your baby as much as you can because body produces as per demand.
5. Chew your food, take small bites, add more  vegetables, eat gravy like vegetables or dal, sambar,rassam,curry, soups, milk, smoothies, kheer, malts,
6. Eat healthy and take frequent large and small meals time to time.
7. Read location related books and add vegetables or other ingredients which can help you produce milk like fenugreek,spinach,garlic,coconut,barley malt,semolina kheer, garden crees kheer and other food items.
8. Avoid food which is too spicy, gassy, difficult to digest let your diet be balanced.

8.What to remember?

This is temporary phase which will not stay forever. Try to enjoy it. Love your new tinnier Winnie because you will later miss those tiny fingers. It's absolutely fine to take help from others. This psychological changes does happen it's common and fine because at this point your hormones are completely imbalanced. Don't over think, worry or try to harm yourself or the baby. Instead of it if the symptoms continue to occur don't hesitate to consult with therapist.

All the very best ladies.


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