Before we proceed, let’s shed some light on what postpartum is. This is simply the period of time that begins immediately after childbirth. The journey of carrying and having a baby can be a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings, when the little bundle of joy finally arrives postpartum can be accompanied with a lot of things. It doesn’t generally segregate a gender as even males/fathers have it too.
Postpartum or baby blues is an overwhelming feeling of anxiety, sadness or irritability that comes with the afterbirth of a baby. It begins within the first 2-3 days of birth and can proceed for weeks, while it varies and a lot of physical, emotional and environmental factors can increase the rate of postpartum blues in different people. It should be understood that while females tend to go through this mostly, males aren’t left out either because both parties are trying to adjust to the new addition in the family.
Signs/symptoms of postpartum blues
The most common signs of baby blues include unexplainable sadness, increased irritation and anxiety of becoming a new parent, fear of handling a new baby, crying and insomnia. Often, people tend to take baby blues for postpartum depression it should be noted that these two are different things entirely. While postpartum blues wears off with time, postpartum depression can go on for longer and will often need medical supports.
Overcoming postpartum blues
Celebrating the journey of carrying a baby and birthing one shouldn’t just stop at holding the baby, it should be continued for as long as both parents want to. The transition of having an active baby nestled in the womb to the fussing and crying of one can be a lot for two people to handle not to talk of one!
Here are a few steps for this;
1. Ask for help: Getting a family member or a trusted person to take care of your little one while you rest or spend quality time adjusting can be really effective and soothing. Don’t hesitate to ask for as many help as you need, it will lighten your moods and help rejuvenate.
2. Talk it out: having this conversation with a health care practitioner, an experienced person or a friend can help soothe your nerves and give you the reassurance you need.
3. Let older children understand: it is better and much more positive to explain the current situation to older kids in ways they’ll understand than snapping at them or ignoring them altogether, they will even offer to help you out in their own way!
4. Bond with your baby: Set a period of time in a day to bond with your newborn. Perhaps over nursing or singing lullabies while sleeping will help both you and the baby.
5. Don’t neglect entertainment: Abandoning the things you are used to doing before the arrival of baby will only foster your blues, have fun while transitioning with your baby and dedicate time for yourself too!
