Typically, symptoms begin three to four days after giving birth and go away about 10 days later. Unfortunately, 10 percent of new mothers do not experience relief, and the condition develops into a more serious post-partum depression.
Symptoms of baby blues include exhaustion, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, irritability, sadness and mood swings. Psychologists at the University of West England concluded that these emotions are part of the transition to motherhood during which a woman grieves the freedom she had before giving birth.
As long as symptoms are mild and short-lived, it's possible to cope with baby blues using the following simple techniques:
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Get as Much Rest as Possible - Give yourself as much time as possible to relax. Take naps whenever you feel tired. Even 15 minutes can make a huge difference.
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Express Your Feelings - If you feel like crying, go ahead. Don't judge yourself for being emotional. It's normal at this time.
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Find Someone to Talk To - Talk to your spouse, family and friends about how you're feeling. You can also join a new moms support group to talk to others going through a similar transition.
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Ask for Help - Don't be shy about needing assistance. Accept help when others offer it. Learn to put off tasks that can wait so that you have time to take care of yourself.
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Keep Visitors to a Minimum - Wait until you're rested and feeling well.
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Eat Plenty of Nutritious Foods - Don't worry about baby weight until you're back on top of your game. It's been found that low blood sugar can make your symptoms worse.
- Start Moving Slowly - Exercise is a natural mood booster, but don't go all out until you're feeling stronger.
- Write It Down - If you're feeling overwhelmed, keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings.
Most of all, take care of yourself. Your baby needs you, but your baby needs you to be healthy and strong.
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