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The “postnatal or baby blues” refers to a range of feelings you may experience between the third and tenth day after your baby is born. The “blues” are very common, with more than 80% of new mothers experiencing them.
The feelings you may experience include being tearful, irritable, mood changes, fatigue, anxiety and feelings of sadness or loneliness.
These feelings are thought to be caused by a number of factors, including sudden changes in hormone levels after childbirth, unexpected discomfort from breast engorgement and birth pain, adjustment to parenthood and sleep deprivation.
These feelings should disappear after a few days and no specific treatment is required, apart from recognition, empathy and support from family and friends. However, if these feelings persist for longer than two weeks, you should seek professional help from your General Practitioner or Child Health Nurse.
(Adapted from “Understanding Postnatal Disorders”, Women's Health Queensland-wide and Women's Infolink, 1999).
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