Depression After Birth: How to Feel Better and Bond with Your Baby

Depression after birth can hit hard and make it challenging to bond with your baby. Many women experience a slight sadness, known as postpartum blues, after birth. This sadness typically lasts around two weeks. Other women develop postpartum depression, a mental condition that begins in the first three months after birth and can last several weeks or months with severe symptoms.

There are things you can do to manage depression after birth and bond with your baby.

If you suspect that you have developed postpartum depression, seek professional help. Depression after birth is treatable. This is a season in your life full of excitement and wonder. Don’t let depression hold you back. Reach out for assistance.

Taking Care of You When Struggling with Depression After Birth

You cannot effectively take care of a newborn if you do not care for your own needs. This includes eating healthier meals and snacks, and limiting caffeine, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and foods with added sugar.

The following are suggestions for caring for your needs.

Take care of personal hygiene Skipping showers in favor of a few minutes of folding laundry might sound productive in the moment, but your mental health takes a hit. Taking care of your own needs boosts your mood and self-esteem.

Add in gentle exercise Walking, lifting light weights, or doing yoga can boost your mood and self-confidence.

Ask for help Delegate tasks to other family members and ask for help when you need it. Most people are willing to help; they just don’t know how to help until you tell them what you need.

Spend a few moments alone Have someone look after the baby or choose a time while he is napping to spend a few moments alone. Listen to music, read a book, or write in a journal to give your mind a break.

Consider joining a support group or a mother’s group in the area. Having other women to talk to about your experience with depression after birth can ease any feelings of guilt or shame.

Bonding with Your Baby

Depression after birth can create a distance between you and your baby. Bonding with your baby during the first year is critical for their mental and emotional growth.

The following is a list of ideas on how to bond with your baby during the first few months.

Skin on skin contact Try to get skin-on-skin contact when feeding or holding your baby as much as possible in the first few weeks.

Talk to your baby Although your baby may not understand English yet, they can sense the inflection in your words. Talk to your baby throughout the day about everything from diaper changing to lunch to bedtime.

Make eye contact and smile Babies’ brains are programmed to look for faces. The visual cortex draws their attention to faces to learn how to communicate. Shouldn’t your face be the one that makes them feel safe and secure? Make eye contact and smile often at your baby.

Hold and rock your baby Meet your baby’s needs when he cries by holding and cradling him in your arms. Try to rock your baby as you feed, whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

Spending time with your baby instills in them that you are important to meeting their needs and waters the seed of love and joy in your own heart as you watch them grow.

Help for Depression After Birth

Contact our office today if you struggle with depression after birth. We will connect you to a counselor specializing in postpartum care during the first year of your baby’s life.