Baby Blues and How to Help Prevent Them

Becoming a new mom is stressful, having another child is stressful. No matter how much we are looking forward to having a baby or growing our family, sometimes our emotions take us on a rollercoaster.

You just had a baby - a baby. Someone you are now responsible for, forever. No big deal, right?

You're expecting to be glowing and blissfully enjoying this new journey in your life. You're expecting to understand and learn everything first hand and for it all to make sense. But what if you don't? What if some things don't make sense?

A lot of mothers don't bring up baby blues, or postpartum depression. There could be many reasons for that. Some are embarrassed to talk about it, some don't want to admit it, and some just simply don't want to discuss it. Let's be honest, our society hasn't really given us the "ok" to freely find comfort in the "not so wonderful" things about pregnancy and postpartum. We scroll through Instagram and read our Facebook posts just to find those mothers that are so perfectly handling their new mom situation.

Looking back on my first few weeks after giving birth to Mini, I probably felt every single feeling that a person could feel, at once. I was happy, I was sad, angry, worried, guilty, anxious, nervous, lost - you name it. My body had just gone through major surgery (c section), I just became a first time mom, my baby wasn't with me, we weren't at home, cuddling, nothing had gone as planned. I felt what any person would probably feel in my shoes. I guess you can say my situation was different. I can't say I had baby blues or postpartum depression. I can't say that because I didn't get a chance to experience it that way. My sadness, anger, quilt, anxiety, nervousness and loss was all focused on her and on our unfortunate situation. My focus was Mini, not myself. My worries were different than a lot of moms. I didn't get to worry about my baby not latching, or not sleeping, or having gas, or not being able to burp after a feeding. My worries were much greater than that.

My worries were if we would end up taking our baby home with us, or would we walk out of that door alone.

So, I can't exactly say what I felt had to do with Baby Blues, but I can say that I understand those mothers that have gone or are going through it now. I've witnessed It first hand and I've seen how difficult and frightening it can be. If you're overwhelmed, stressed, tearful, emotionally fragile, sleep deprived or uneasy, you've probably experienced or are experiencing first hand of Baby Blues. As you're reading this, you'll realize that every single one of you has felt this. At some point or another, on some level. And let me tell you something, that is OK. You're entitled to feel whatever you're feeling. You have every right to be scared, to be irritated, to be overwhelmed with joy and worry all at the same time.

There are ways to help prevent Baby Blues, there are ways to help ease them. Let's discuss what those way are.

If you've already given birth and are feeling the Blues, first remind yourself that you're fine, you're doing great. Take time to do things just for yourself. Go for a walk, go shop, read a book (in silence, with no baby in the background). Spend time with your partner (one on one), eat a balanced meal and most importantly, SLEEP, every chance you get. Feeling rested grounds you and gives you the energy you need to get through the day.

Now, there is something you can do to help prevent Baby Blues. Omega-3 fats.

If taken during prenatal period, studies show that Omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA may not only lower the risk of pre-term birth, but also lower the risk of baby blues and postpartum depression. EPA and DHA are considered "essential fatty acids" that cannot be obtained by the body, therefore must be obtained from diet. If you are taking prenatal, make sure they have DHA in them, if not, you can always take a safe dose separately.

*If you find yourself not being able to bond with your baby and withdrawing from your partner. If you are feeling worthlessness or begin to develop thoughts preoccupied with death or even wish you were not alive. Please reach out to your doctor, these are all red flags for postpartum depression and not Baby Blues. If you need anyone to talk to, please feel safe to message us at a mama + her mini. We are here to lend a helping, understanding hand. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.*

With Love,

a mama + her mini