Postpartum Depression

 
While giving birth to a child is often a happy event, many new mothers also experience a sort of depression a few days after the birth. Fatigue and a feeling of being overwhelmed can contribute to the development of the depression. There are three levels of depression intensity following childbirth. In general the topic is known as postpartum depression and is comprised of the baby blues, postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis.

Baby blues is a mild form of depression affecting nearly 80% of all new mothers. The condition can result from disappointment with the birthing process, as a response to postpartum pain, due to the letdown from the previous excitement and also due to concerns about raising a child. Symptoms include feelings of anxiety, irritability, unworthiness, sadness, crying, headaches and exhaustion. With extra rest, nourishing food and medical care the mother can recover from this state.

Sometimes a more serious case occurs known as postpartum depression, or PPD. This condition affects 10-20 percent of all new mothers. This depression differs from the blues in that it is an actual illness affecting the brain that can be treated with medicine. The mother cannot think her way into or out of the depression. Symptoms of PPD include persistent sadness and feelings of guilt, isolation and mood swings. Since PPD is a physical illness, it can be treated with medication. It is important to discuss these feelings with a physician in order to ensure the condition is treated.

Postpartum psychosis is the most rare and severe form of postpartum depression. Women who have this disorder usually have not had a previous psychiatric illness, while some have been previously depressed. Women with this condition may become paranoid, confused and unable to function. Sometimes they think about harming themselves and/or their children. If postpartum psychosis is suspected then it is very important to seek medical treatment.

Ultimately, new mothers should know that their feelings of depression are temporary and that they will feel well again. They should evaluate the stressors in their lives and explore the appropriateness of their expectations. Finally, they should be open to treatment or medication that could potentially help relieve them of their condition.

Sleep Deprivation

After having the baby home for a while, the mother may not even remember the last time she had a full night's sleep. Unfortunately, for the next few months the mother and her partner will not be able to enjoy the luxury of a full night's rest. The good news is that this period does not last for very long and soon the baby will begin to sleep throughout the night.

The initial excitement of birth may wear off after a couple of days and the mother may be left with a feeling of irritation. The mother may wish to room with the baby as soon as he is born. This has not shown to be more tiring than letting the baby sleep in a separate nursery. As well, this can be a valuable bonding experience. The sad truth is that regardless of where the baby sleeps, the mother will always feel tired! But she should not forget to enjoy the joys of motherhood and draw on them for renewed strength.

If the baby is being extremely fussy in the hospital the mother should not have to deal with this on her own. Many hospitals have staff that tour the halls at night, listening for unsettled babies. They will then offer to take the baby for a while until he falls asleep so that the mother can get some much needed rest. At home, if the baby is quite fussy in the night, it is important that the baby slowly learns about a day-night schedule. When he is fussy at night, the mother should not make much fuss when taking care of his needs. She should leave the lights off or low, keep her voice quiet and avoid conversation and sudden movements. The baby should be put down to sleep gently, with minimal stimulation. He needs to learn that nighttime is a time to relax and sleep, not to play and be stimulated.

The baby may also be quite eager to feed frequently during the night. Most babies who are breastfed need extra feeding at night since breast milk is digested without difficulty and used by the body in a few hours. However, if it seems that the baby has had enough to eat and continues to wake up for feeding, the mother should try to comfort him in ways that do not involve feeding, such as rocking or gently massaging his back. After a while, the baby should allow for greater gaps in nighttime feedings. However, it isn't a good idea for the mother to completely avoid nighttime feeding. Firstly, this is not good for the baby who will be hungry. Secondly, if the mother's breasts become overfull with milk they reduce production and will leave the mother with less milk to feed with during the day.

Knowing when to pick up a baby and when to let them cry is a hotly debated topic among parents, old and new. Often times it seems impossible to ignore the cries of a helpless newborn who will eventually succumb to sleep out of exhaustion. The simple truth is babies cry for a reason and mothers and fathers feel drawn to help them out of pure instinct. As such, do not just let the baby lie there as he cries feeling abandoned and alone. Keep the baby's cradle close to your bed so you can quickly access him and return him anytime during the night. Make sure the baby knows he is always surrounded by people who love him and that he is in a safe place. The result may very well be a contented, calm child.

Silent Night Tips

Ultimately no one but the mother and her partner can decide whether or for how long the baby's crying should be put up with. The best advice is to follow what feels right and stay with the baby as long as the mother can. The following are some tips to help the mother and her partner get some rest and have a few quiet nights:

- Take the baby outside for some sunlight every day. Research has shown that babies, along with adults, sleep better if they have been outside for a reasonable amount of time daily. This is probably due to the body's production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.

- Do not let the baby fall asleep before being placed in his crib. If the baby is put to bed happy, awake and on a full stomach then he will learn to go to sleep on his own quietly.

- If feeding at night, the mother and the baby can fall asleep together at the start of it.

- Remember that changing the baby's routines can create an increase in the baby's demands.

- During his first 6-8 weeks, let the baby feed as often at he wants, whenever he wants. If this feeding occurs during the night, carry it out as quietly as possible in dim light or darkness. Babies sleep an average of 16 out of 24 hours a day, but very intermittently. It is also alright to wake up the baby to feed him before the mother's bedtime.

- Around the 12 week mark, the baby's sleeping schedule will change to one in which he sleeps more during the night and less during the day. To encourage this change, try picking him up less when he wakes up during the night. Use other methods of soothing including back rubbing or rocking.

Of course, the mother's rest and comfort is of utmost importance as well. As primary caretaker of the baby, the mother will need to ensure her health and wellness is in top shape to give the best of care. While it may seem like there is never any time to sleep, take a closer look at the mother's schedule. Perhaps during breakfast she could take a nap while her partner watches the baby. During the day, whenever the baby takes a nap, the mother should take one too. Also, going to bed earlier may be a better way for the mother to catch up on her rest. Keeping the baby next to the bed and catching up on sleep between feedings is also a good way to get some rest.

The mother's return to work may create a recurrence of the breast-only baby syndrome where an attention seeking baby may wake up several times during the night after seemingly breaking this habit earlier. This is because the baby misses the mother and tries to make up for the missed daytime contact by waking up more frequently during the night. It may help to breastfeed in the morning before going to work and again have a feeding and nap session with the baby after returning from work. The mother should arrange with her partner to postpone dinner for a little while so that she can have her rest and the baby can have his time alone with his Mom.

Ultimately, the mother should not forget that all these sleepless nights are not done in vain; they are done in the process of raising a child that is loved by his parents. Try to enjoy the nighttime feedings as a special alone time for the mother and the baby, instead of focusing on the tiredness and irritability that may result. It is important to realize that there is no one else in the world that needs the mother as badly as the baby does.

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