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Congratulations! You have just welcomed your little bundle of joy into the world, and you are euphoric. Everything from the little ‘O’ of their lips as they yawn to the way they smile in their sleep is mesmerising. Isn’t it?

Amidst the little joyous moments, however, the reality of being a new mother struggling to clock in a few hours of sleep between diaper changes and breastfeeding sessions eventually gets to you. One moment you are delighted looking at their little toes and fingers curl and the very next, you might end up crying for seemingly no reason at all. You are not alone in feeling this emotional turbulence after delivery – also called ‘baby blues’, it is completely normal.

What is meant by baby blues?

Many new mothers experience extreme mood swings and a sense of overwhelming fatigue during the first few weeks of bringing their baby home. In fact, according to a paper published in Singapore Medical Journal, one out of two first-time mothers goes through the postnatal baby blues. Sleepless nights, stress, the anxiety of caring for a newborn, the guilt of not doing enough and sudden hormonal changes are some of the contributing factors that can lead to postnatal blues.

Symptoms of baby blues

For some women, the symptoms of baby blues begin to manifest within the first few hours of giving birth. For others, they can start anywhere between day one to day three post-birth. These include an unexplainable sadness, an uncontrollable urge to just cry, feeling snappy and irritable, having trouble sleeping despite being exhausted, feeling inadequate as a parent, and guilty for not being happier among others.

In most cases, baby blues get resolved in a couple of weeks postpartum with love and encouragement from the spouse, family, and friends. However, if you recognise yourself being in this condition, here are some things that can help you bounce back as quickly as possible:

Prepare yourself

Talk to your doctor, mother, or sister and friends who have had a baby and prepare yourself while you are pregnant. When you know what to expect, you can handle it better. List out a few things that bring you joy and whenever you feel overwhelmed, try to indulge in some of them, even if it is only for a few minutes.

Catch up on some sleep.

‘Sleep when the baby sleeps’ should be your life’s mantra for the first few weeks. Let that pile of laundry lie in the hamper, other chores can wait too. Catching up on some precious sleep while the little one is sleeping will help you recuperate better. Everything is better when you are (relatively) well-rested.

Eat well

Try to follow a healthy postnatal diet. With the help of your doctor, prepare a diet plan beforehand. Make sure it isn’t anything elaborate or difficult to follow and still packs in all the nutrients required to fuel your body. It will also help in strengthening the bond with your baby by improving your milk supply.

Talk to someone

Afraid of judgment, women usually don’t acknowledge these emotions and try to power through this phase alone. However, simply chatting with someone who ‘gets you’ and can give your emotions an outlet can be immensely helpful. It can be anyone. From your therapist or spouse to your friends.

Ask for help

Cooking and prepping meals, doing laundry, running errands, diaper changes, burping the baby, bathing them – there’s a lot that needs to be done and you cannot do it all by yourself. It takes a village to raise a child. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner for help and don’t hesitate to accept help from friends and family that offer it.

Get some fresh air and sunshine

Don’t underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine. Try and find some time to go for a walk. Or have a cup of your favorite hot beverage on the balcony. Spending some alone time, away from the chaos will help you find your balance.

Sometimes it is more than just baby blues

Remember we said, baby blues get resolved through support and counseling in most cases? Well, there are other scenarios wherein the symptoms become severe and last longer than two weeks. This could indicate the presence of postnatal depression (PND). In PND, new mothers constantly feel hopeless, worthless, and sad. They find it difficult to bond with the baby and the overwhelming despair makes it difficult for them to even eat or sleep peacefully. In severe cases, it also leads to panic attacks and suicidal thoughts.

While baby blues are fleeting, the symptoms of postnatal depression are persistent and won’t go away on their own. They can last a lot longer – sometimes for years. In such a scenario, it is advised to seek professional help and medical intervention at the earliest.

Conclusion:

The first few weeks after bringing the baby home are a bag of mixed emotions and the transition period can be tough. The best way to deal with baby blues is to not lose yourself in the process of caring for your baby. While you focus your energies on keeping your little nugget happy and healthy, don’t forget to take care of yourself. After all, you cannot pour from an empty cup and happy mothers make happy babies!