Mike O'Malley
Darryl MacPherson
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Episode Guide
- 1. God Forbid Jul 28, 2000
- Neighboring families deal with the pressures of suburban parenting.
- 2. Bizzy Moves In Jul 28, 2000
- Wanda finds herself getting into trouble with Bizzy and her friends.
- 3. Rodney Has Two Daddies Aug 4, 2000
- Darryl secretly gives Rodney cooking lessons; Carl turns the neighborhood into a tribal society.
6 days ago · Baby Blues chronicles the adventures of the McPherson family and its three children. Created by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott.
- Archie
Fernando Ruiz & Craig Boldman's "Archie" continues the...
- Zack Hill
John Deering & John Newcombe's "Zack Hill" is the story of a...
- The Other Coast
Adrian Raeside's "The Other Coast" is a humorous look at...
- Baby Blues
Parents and children alike will love Rick Kirkman and Jerry...
- Baby Blues for 5/19/2024
Baby Blues chronicles the adventures of the McPherson family...
- Baby Blues for 5/11/2024
Baby Blues chronicles the adventures of the McPherson family...
- Archie
Baby Blues. By Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott. Follow.
- Overview
- What are the baby blues?
- What are the symptoms of the baby blues?
- How do the baby blues differ from postpartum depression?
- What can you do to treat the baby blues?
- The takeaway
You just had a baby — congratulations! The only problem is you’re crying over diaper blowouts, snapping at your spouse, and wishing you could just jump into your car and drive somewhere — anywhere — without worrying about your next breastfeeding session.
What’s up with you? Having a baby is a joyful experience, isn’t it? Yeah, not for everyone — at least, not right away. For many mothers, bringing home a new baby means stress, exhaustion, and pain, as well as coping with a serious set of raging postpartum hormones throwing all of your emotions into hyperdrive.
In other words, it’s totally normal to forget why you chose to kiss your old life goodbye in favor of one filled with around-the-clock newborn care.
Here’s what you need to know about the baby blues, from how they feel to how long they last.
When it’s more than the blues
Some people don’t just have an average case of the “baby blues” after birth; they experience postpartum depression, a more serious condition that requires medical care. Know the signs.
About 80 percent of postpartum mothers have the baby blues, which refer to a short period after giving birth that’s filled with bouts of sadness, anxiety, stress, and mood swings. That means 4 out of 5 new moms report experiencing them — so chances are you will, too (and if you don’t, you can call yourself lucky!).
The baby blues typically strike within a few days of giving birth, but if you had an especially tough delivery, you may notice them even sooner.
Though doctors can’t pinpoint exactly what causes them, their timing tells us a lot. After birth, your body goes through extreme hormonal fluctuations to help you recover and care for your baby, shrinking your uterus back to its normal size and promoting lactation, among other things. Those hormonal changes can also affect a postpartum mom’s state of mind.
The other probable cause? The postpartum period is one during which parents are not sleeping regularly (or much at all, honestly) and coping with all the major changes in routine and lifestyle that come with a new baby. All of these factors combine to pave the way for the baby blues.
The symptoms can start 2 to 3 days after the baby is born. Most of the time, the baby blues go away on their own soon after birth — usually within 10 days but sometimes up to 14 days postpartum. How you experience the baby blues may be different from how your BFF or sister-in-law does, but generally, symptoms of the baby blues include:
•feeling weepy or crying inexplicably over minor triggers
•having mood swings or being especially irritable
•feeling unattached or unbonded to your baby
•missing parts of your old life, like the freedom to go out with friends
•worrying or feeling anxious about your baby’s health and safety
Timeline
If you’re still feeling sad, anxious, or overwhelmed after 2 weeks postpartum, you may have postpartum depression. (The baby blues typically don’t last longer than 2 weeks.) The baby blues also set in pretty quickly after birth, so if you suddenly begin experiencing symptoms of depression several weeks or months after birth, they’re not the baby blues. Postpartum depression can occur anytime during the first year after having a baby.
Severity of symptoms
What one person considers severe might be more or less so for another person, so this is a little subjective. Typically, the baby blues will leave you feeling down and out of sorts, but they shouldn’t affect your quality of life very much. On the other hand, postpartum depression isn’t something that comes and goes easily throughout the day; the symptoms are more persistent and won’t go away on their own.
You don’t have to do anything, per se, to treat the baby blues — most people find that as they adjust to their new role and settle into a routine with their baby, they begin to feel more like themselves.
That said, the postpartum phase is tough, and it’s important to take care of yourself as best you can. Finding things that make you feel better during this time of transition might help you get back to “normal” (or, at least, find your new normal) a little faster.
•Get as much sleep as you can. We know, sleep is a priceless commodity in your house right now, but listen to your mother: Sleep when the baby sleeps, and let the laundry pile up. Everything seems worse when you’re exhausted. Sometimes, sleeping is the best remedy.
•Ask for help. That laundry we told you to forget about? Your other option is to let someone else do it for you. There are usually people looking for ways to help out new mothers, so when Grandma comes over and asks what she can do, give her a task. Cooking meals, running errands, changing diapers — don’t try to do it all yourself.
•Eat well and get outside. This one doesn’t need much explanation: Feed your body nutritious foods and get some fresh air. It’s simple but effective.
•Talk to someone. It doesn’t have to be a therapist, but if you have one, give them a call. Otherwise, chat with a family member or friend who “gets” you and won’t judge. Sometimes you just need to get stuff off your chest.
The baby blues are a common part of many new parents’ transition to life with baby. Fortunately, they usually go away on their own soon after birth.
However, if you’re still feeling sad or anxious after 2 weeks — or if your symptoms become severe at any point — reach out to a family member, trusted friend, or healthcare provider right away, or call the SAMHSA National Helpline for local resources. The baby blues may be normal and short-lived, but postpartum depression needs to be treated.
May 10, 2024 · What are the baby blues? In the first few weeks after giving birth, you might feel teary or sad for no reason. Rest assured that you’re not alone — you’re experiencing the postpartum blues, better known as the baby blues. “This is very, very common,” says Ob/Gyn Erica Newlin, MD.
Apr 21, 2023 · The baby blues, also known as the postpartum blues, are feelings of sadness, emotional sensitivity, and weepiness that arise in the days after giving birth. They typically appear within the first two to three days postpartum and can last for up to two weeks.
- Erin Heger
People also ask
What are Baby Blues?
When do Baby Blues occur?
Do you have Baby Blues after having a baby?
What are the symptoms of Baby Blues?
Baby blues symptoms include mood swings, anger, sadness, impatience, anxiety, and restlessness. Baby blues are self-restricted and transient. It can be easily addressed with self-help coping strategies and, in severe cases, therapy and medication.
Aug 17, 2022 · Up to 80% of women experience the “baby blues”. Maternal fetal medicine expert, Antonia Francis Kim, M.D. shares why this happens and how to get through it.
