Postpartum baby blues: what it is, how long it lasts and when to worry

The expressions baby blues or maternity blues indicate a mild and temporary form of sadness that affects the mother after giving birth . In some Italian regions, it is indicated with the name of “crying of milk”, since it was once associated with the appearance of mother’s milk.

It is a very common condition: in fact, 35% to 85% of women suffer from it .

Unlike postpartum depression , however, the baby blues only last a few weeks (2-3 at most) and cause no major problems for either the mother or the newborn.

Baby blues: the symptoms

Postpartum baby blues are usually accompanied by the following symptoms :

• sadness or melancholy
• irritability, restlessness or anxiety
• easy tendency to cry
• sleep disorders
• tiredness
• poor appetite

These manifestations tend to appear three to four days after the baby is born and usually resolve within 2 to 3 weeks .

It is important to note that, unlike postpartum depression, mothers affected by the baby blues do not lose the ability to care for their child  or to experience feelings of joy towards him.

Baby blues: the causes

This ailment can be caused by various factors, but postpartum hormones certainly play a decisive role. In fact, after the birth of the child, the woman suffers a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone .

To this can be added the physical and mental stress associated with labor and delivery , as well as the anxiety of coping with being a new mother .

Furthermore, according to some studies, the phenomenon of the baby blues may be linked to the greater medicalization of childbirth , which interferes with the release of natural hormones such as endorphins and prolactin , reducing their antidepressant effect .

Baby blues: how to get out of it?

As this is a short-lived disorder, no medical or psychiatric intervention is foreseen .

However , it is really very important to create a welcoming environment which offers the new mother the right emotional support and which allows her to devote herself serenely to her child .

In all of this, the role of the partner is essential to instill tranquility and security in the partner in difficulty, showing her all his affection and making her feel less alone. 

Furthermore, it is essential that the new father participates in caring for the child and tries to give him that serenity that in some moments the mother struggles to have.

Additional help can also come from the support of family members and loved ones in general . The important thing is that these figures are not a source of further stress, with unsolicited advice and intrusive behavior , which could interfere with the creation of a new family balance after the birth of the child.

Finally, it is important to remember that breastfeeding (which stimulates the release of the hormone prolactin) can be a powerful antidepressant for the new mother , supporting her in this delicate adaptation phase.

Baby blues: when to worry?

In most cases, the baby blues resolve on their own. However, women who suffer from it are 3-4 times more likely to develop postpartum depression .

For this reason, if the symptoms last for more than a month, it is always advisable to seek help from your trusted doctor or specialized psychotherapists , to evaluate the possibility of depression and promptly start the most suitable treatment.

On the contrary, pretending that everything is fine or isolating yourself are behaviors that can further aggravate the new mother’s psychological malaise, risking compromising the attachment relationship with the child .

In conclusion

The baby blues is a temporary discomfort that can appear shortly after childbirth and tends to resolve spontaneously within a few weeks .

When it occurs, it is important not to be ashamed and instead ask for help from your partner and loved ones.

If the symptoms last for more than a month , it is essential not to isolate oneself or deny the problem but to contact a competent figure immediately , to avoid negative consequences on one’s own well-being and that of the child.