Postpartum

Having a baby is a life changing experience no matter what. The emotions felt by the family can go from joy to anxiety to fear all in a small amount of time. It is a roller coaster of hormones and little sleep. It is no surprise that many moms feel overwhelmed and experience "baby-blues." However, some mothers may feel a longer lasting, more intense depression, known as PPD or postpartum depression. This condition is much more common than you may think: according to the Mayo Clinic, more than 3 million US cases per year.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the following are the symptoms associated with Postpartum Depression:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed
• Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason
• Worrying or feeling overly anxious
• Feeling moody, irritable, or restless
• Oversleeping, or being unable to sleep even when her baby is asleep
• Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Experiencing anger or rage
• Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable
• Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems, and muscle pain
• Eating too little or too much
• Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family
• Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with her baby
• Persistently doubting her ability to care for her baby
• Thinking about harming herself or her baby.

The following article, written by our own contributor Joanna Cortes Agnello goes into further details: Recognizing the signs of Postpartum Depression.  

According to research, counseling/psychotherapy should be the first line of treatment for Postpartum Depression. The American Psychological Association also recommends counseling as the initial treatment method for PPD - Treating Postpartum Depression.

The following are a few mental health tips for mothers of toddlers (these same tips can be applied to mothers of newborns!) provided by our very own Joanna Cortes Agnello - 7 mental health tips for moms of toddlers. 

Remember, you are not alone, reach out as soon as you need help, and happy parenting!  

Lastly, we leave you with a message of how you can bring more joy into your life with laughter! Knock, Knock... Who's There? It's me, Happiness!