Dealing With Baby Blues Syndrome

After having a baby, many women have mood swings. One minute they feel happy, the next minute they start to cry. They may feel a little depressed, have a hard time concentrating, lose their appetite or find that they can't sleep well even when the baby is asleep. These symptoms usually start about 3 to 4 days after delivery and may last several days.

If you're a new mother and have any of these symptoms, you have what are called the "baby blues." "The blues" are considered a normal part of early motherhood and usually go away within 10 days after delivery. However, some women have worse symptoms or symptoms last longer. This is called "postpartum depression."

The Postpartum Depression is one thing we must give more attention to, because it is an illness, so it can be treated with therapy and medications.
If you don't know what the symptoms are, you can check  these one out:

• Loss of interest or pleasure in life
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Less energy and motivation to do things
  
• A hard time falling asleep or staying asleep
  
• Sleeping more than usual
  
• Increased crying or tearfulness
  
• Feeling worthless, hopeless or overly guilty
  
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious
  
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
  
• Feeling like life isn't worth living
  
• Having thoughts about hurting yourself
  
• Worrying about hurting your baby
  

These symptoms will last longer than just a baby blues syndrome. Usually, it will last for almost 6 months untill 1 year.

The baby blues syndrome or even the Postpartum Depression can be minimized or even be eliminated with things you can do that other mothers with postpartum depression have found helpful:

• Find someone to talk to--and tell that person about your feelings.
  
• Get in touch with people who can help you with child care, household chores and errands. This social support network will help you find time for yourself so you can rest.
  
• Find time to do something for yourself, even if it's only 15 minutes a day. Try reading, exercising (walking is good for you and easy to do), taking a bath or meditating.
  
• Keep a diary. Every day, write down your emotions and feelings as a way of "letting it all out." Once you begin to feel better, you can go back and reread your diary--this will help you see how much better you are.
  
• Even if you can only get one thing done in any given day, this is a step in the right direction. There may be days when you can't get anything done. Try not to get angry with yourself when this happens.
  
• It's OK to feel overwhelmed. Childbirth brings many changes, and parenting is challenging. When you're not feeling like yourself, these changes can seem like too much to cope with.
  
• You're not expected to be a "supermom." Be honest about how much you can do, and ask other people to help you.
  
• Find a support group in your area or contact one of the organizations listed below. They can put you in touch with people near you who have experience with postpartum depression.
  
• Talk with your doctor about how you feel. He or she may offer counseling and/or medicines that can help.
  

If you find one or more like the symptoms or any tips list above does not very helpful, you may arrange an appointment with your doctor.

Source : familydoctor.org