Up to the first two weeks after childbirth, many mothers feel weepy, irritable and overwhelmed. These 'baby blues' settle on their own.
Postpartum depression is different — it lasts longer, is more intense and affects caring for oneself and the baby.
Key concepts
- Baby blues: mild, starts within days, gone by about two weeks
- Postpartum depression: lasts beyond two weeks and can start any time in the first year
- It is treatable, and many treatments are compatible with breastfeeding
Symptoms and signs
- Persistent sadness, emptiness or crying
- Feeling disconnected from the baby or not a good mother
- Severe anxiety, panic or intrusive worries about the baby
- Unable to sleep even when the baby sleeps
Causes
- Rapid hormonal changes after delivery
- Sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion
- Stress, lack of support or a difficult delivery
Risk factors
- Previous depression or anxiety
- Relationship or family conflict, pressure about the baby's sex
- Baby with health problems or NICU stay
Evidence-based management
- Practical support: shared night feeds, rest, help with chores
- Counselling or CBT for mild to moderate depression
- Medicines chosen with breastfeeding in mind when needed
- Thyroid and anaemia checks
When to seek professional help
- Low mood lasting more than two weeks after delivery
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby — urgent
- Confusion, hearing voices or very unusual behaviour — emergency (postpartum psychosis)
Frequently asked questions
Can I breastfeed if I take treatment?
Often yes. Your psychiatrist will choose treatment considering breastfeeding and discuss the benefits and risks with you.
Can fathers get postpartum depression?
Yes, fathers can develop depression after a baby's birth too, especially with sleep loss and stress.
Medical references
Guidelines and official sources used for this article.
- Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance (CG192). NICE, UK, 2014.
- Depressive disorder (depression) — fact sheet. World Health Organization.
- Author
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MBBS, MD Psychiatry
- Medical reviewer
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MD Psychiatry
- Last reviewed
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
Related articles
Related guides
Need personal advice? Book a confidential consultation.