What are the “Baby Blues”?

I can assure you that the “Baby Blues” is not a jazz band or a tone of color for the nursing room of an infant. The baby blues most commonly known as PostPartum Depression (PPD) affect almost 10 to 15% women in the United States.

But what is PPD? PostPartum Depression is a mental disorder that sometimes affect women after childbirth. It includes mood swings, anxiety, decreased attention, trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Although there are no apparent causes, many scientists believe that due to the physical changes the mother goes through in childbirth there is a dramatic drop in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which may explain the sudden mood changes. Also, other theories say that due to overwhelming welcome of the baby the mother may feel emotionally exhausted and anxious.

Usually, the baby blues are not something to be worried about, they fade within time. Although, there are some cases where the mother can stay depressed for more than a year, if this happens the specialist will most likely subscribe antidepressant drugs. Many researchers are now working on finding a new drug that will not harm the baby while the mother is breastfeeding.

One interesting thing is that psychologists are now researching if the PPD affects the way the mother bonds with the baby and creates a healthy attachment. Attachment is the relationship the baby or person has with his caregivers. When the mother suffers from this mental disease it is much more harder to create a healthy bond or attachment with the baby due to the symptoms. Although there are many theories, scientists have failed to prove that there is in fact a relation between PPD and attachment.

To prevent and know better about this mental disorder talk to your doctor. If your specialist knows that you have history of depression and you are pregnant he or she will monitor you closely to check if there are any sings of depression.

Bibliography.

Mayoclinic.org,. (2014). Postpartum depression Prevention – Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 10 December 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/basics/prevention/con-20029130

Kripke, K. (2013). Postpartum Progress. Retrieved 10 December 2014, from http://www.postpartumprogress.com/bonding-with-baby-attachment-ppd