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The baby blues, what is it?
Go from laughter to tears in a few minutes, from joy to despair, being anxious… The baby blues are very common and normal after pregnancy. This short-lived episode is totally different from postpartum depression.
Definition of baby blues
Why this depression?
We call baby-blues the episode of depression that affects nearly 60% of women who give birth. It usually occurs on the 3rd day of childbirth, or 3 days after childbirth. It is a hormonal, emotional and existential “storm”. The baby-blues is linked to the conjunction of several phenomena: fatigue, drop in progestins – pregnancy hormones – psychological upheaval….
How long does it last ?
The baby blues only last a few days. It goes away without intervention and does not require treatment. The rapid favorable development is favored by the attitude of relatives and caregivers who reassure and mother the young mother. Beyond 10 days of baby blues, it is rather an early post-natal depression.
What are the differences with postpartum depression?
The baby blues is made up of psychological manifestations that are generally minor. Postpartum depression or postpartum depression is more severe and longer. This depression can occur throughout the baby’s first year of life, but it very often appears between the 6th and 9th weeks after childbirth. Post-natal depression affects 10 to 15% of mothers. This major depressive episode requires multidisciplinary care for mother and child. Care for the mother is sometimes necessary: this combines psychological monitoring and antidepressant and anxiolytic treatment.
Symptoms of the baby blues
The signs of the baby blues can be very different from one woman to another, but the main symptoms are: crying for no reason, feelings of confusion, irritability, feeling of exhaustion, difficulty sleeping … Add to this the feeling that we will not be able to cope with his new responsibilities as a mother, a great sensitivity to the signals emitted by the baby …
How to better live this period?
To better experience this baby-blues episode, you can talk to the midwives and nursery nurses around you. They are also there to reassure you and to surround you. Your loved ones have an important role: that of mothering you (you need it) and of being present. Do not hesitate to confide in them your fears and your overflow of emotions.
The father has an essential role to play: warm and understanding, he helps the young mother to pass this course.
What if the baby blues continue?
If your baby blues continues beyond 2 weeks or gets worse and you have the following symptoms: difficulty falling asleep, irritability, anxiety, permanent fatigue, fear of harming the baby, avoiding contact with your child… it is essential to see and talk to your doctor.