Recognizing Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression & Anxiety?

Recognizing the difference between “Baby Blues” and other perinatal mood disorders such as postpartum depression or anxiety is critical for knowing when to get additional support with a perinatal counselor. Let’s look at how the differences:

A mother cradles her newborn in a quiet moment — a reminder that the early postpartum period brings both connection and emotional challenges.

What to Know About the Baby Blues

• Baby Blues happens within two weeks of delivery and usually resolves on its own

• It is caused by the hormonal changes post-birth, like a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone, coupled with the lack of sleep and stress of caring for a newborn

• 60-80% of women will experience Baby Blues after giving birth

• Symptoms include mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed – generally self-esteem will remain intact

What to Know About Postpartum Depression or Anxiety

• Postpartum depression or anxiety can start anytime within the first year after childbirth, though often it's within the first few months

• Depression symptoms can include persistent sadness, severe mood swings, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawal from family and friends, sleep issues, low self-esteem and feeling hopeless

• Anxiety symptoms can include extreme worry, fear, and anxiety that can overshadow the positives of new parenthood. Depression symptoms may also be present, but anxiety symptoms are usually more intense. Women may experience unrelenting worry about the baby's health or safety, sleep disturbances due to anxiety, and sometimes obsessive-compulsive behaviors around the baby's health and safety

• Unlike the Baby Blues, postpartum depression or anxiety does not resolve on its own

Important Takeaways

The Baby Blues is a normal reaction to the sudden hormonal shifts and stress that come with being a new mom. However, if symptoms last longer than two weeks after giving birth, or begin later in the postpartum period, it is no longer considered Baby Blues.

Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety usually do not resolve on their own. Women experiencing these symptoms need support and treatment — but the good news is both conditions are highly treatable. Treatment often includes a combination of medication, individual therapy, couples therapy, and support groups. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also important for recovery: balanced nutrition, good sleep hygiene, exercise, personal time, and strong social support all play key roles in mental health.

If you or your partner are struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, Better Being Group can help. Our perinatal counselors provide women’s counseling, marriage counseling, couples therapy, EMDR therapy, and sex therapy to support new parents through this challenging time.

We offer online therapy in 42 states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Colorado, and also provide in-person sessions at our Bryn Mawr, PA office for those near Philadelphia.

You don’t have to face postpartum depression or anxiety alone — contact Better Being Group today to learn more about evidence-based therapy and compassionate support.