Post-natal depression: mums

While it is normal for new mothers to have the baby blues for a few days or weeks, one in ten new mothers will experience postnatal depression. Find out how to tell the difference and what you can do to help.

Baby blues

About half of all new mothers experience the baby blues or maternity blues. This can last for anything from a few hours to a few days and the new mother may be:

• emotional

• tearful
• anxious
• worried (especially about the baby)
• tired although perhaps unable to sleep.

It is thought that this is caused by exhaustion and/or hormonal changes.

The best way to help is to be reassuring and supportive: allow your partner to express her feelings and don’t dismiss her concerns.

These sorts of feelings usually disappear in a few weeks once the new family settles into a routine and the new mother has had time to adjust physically and emotionally to the change.

• Breastfeeding: how it works

Postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is more than baby blues. It is estimated that at least one in ten new mothers goes on to develop postnatal depression, which can last weeks, months or even years.

In some ways, there's no difference between postnatal depression and any other form of clinical depression, but having a new baby makes depression more likely at this time and is bound to be relevant to how the new mother is feeling.

• The experience of depression varies between individuals. A sufferer may experience low mood, tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness or feeling unable to cope, guilt, irritability, hypochondria, poor appetite, insomnia or excessive worrying about the baby.

This sounds very similar to the baby blues as described above. The main difference that might indicate postnatal depression is that these feelings persist and the new mother does not feel better after a few weeks.

• Baby's home: what next?

Prolonged depression can affect the baby's development and put a huge strain on your relationship.

What can you do?

If you think your partner may have postnatal depression:

• It is important to support her in seeking professional help. The best place to start is likely to be your health visitor or GP.
• Depressed people tend to be very self-critical, so being positive and encouraging with your partner is vital.
• Listen and try to understand. For example, if your partner feels she isn't a good mother, talk about what being a good enough mother and father means for you both. It's hard to cope with a new baby but talking helps - even if you don't solve the problem overnight.
• Talk about the practicalities. What can you do to help her feel more in control or more relaxed or get more sleep? Would you like to spend more time on your own with the baby? How are the household tasks shared? Ensure you both get enough healthy food, exercise and rest.
• Remember to take care of yourself too. Cut down on commitments but don't lose contact with friends or family - it can help to sound off about how you feel.

What might health professionals suggest?

Treatment varies from case to case but options include:

• increased health visitor support
• professional counselling, or (less likely) a referral to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist
• antidepressants may be recommended but they cannot be taken while she is breastfeeding

Fathers can still help by offering support, reassurance and practical help, ensuring their partner has regular meals and rest.

• Post-natal depression: dads

Your experiences

Has your partner experienced postnatal depression? How did you cope? What were you able to do to support her? Use our comments system below to share your experiences and tips with others.