After giving birth, a woman's hormones shift. This shift, combined with the demands of caring for a newborn, causes many women to get the "baby blues." According to the American Pregnancy Association, 50 percent to 75 percent of new mothers experience mood swings or emotions that are similar to depression. The baby blues are the mildest form of postpartum depression and usually dissipate quickly. If the symptoms of the baby blues continue for more than two weeks after delivery, a woman should speak to her doctor to determine if treatment is needed.
Mood Swings
The baby blues are characterized by mood swings that usually set in within a day or two of giving birth. Having a baby can make a woman feel elated at the same time that she is sad. According to the American Pregnancy Association, this is likely due to the alteration in brain chemicals, which can produce the mood changes that many new mothers go through. MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding alcohol during this time because it can exacerbate mood swings.
Loss of Appetite
Having a new baby creates huge demands on a woman's time and she may experience a loss of appetite as a result. This will typically resolve a few weeks after delivery, according to MayoClinic.com. Breastfeeding.com reports that eating a healthy and balanced diet is important for a mother and her baby's health. Eating small, regular meals gives a new mother energy to fight the baby blues and care for her baby, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Trouble Sleeping
New mothers experience a lack of sleep due to caring for a baby even in the middle of the night. Mothers who are suffering from the baby blues find that they have trouble sleeping even when they have the chance. Breastfeeding.com reports that this lack of sleep will contribute to the baby blues and recommends sleeping whenever possible, even in the middle of the day. A doctor can help determine whether a sleep aid might be beneficial.
