As happy as you after the birth of your new baby, you wouldn't imagine anything being able to bring you down. But be prepared, the infamous baby blues can set in as early as a day after birth, and can last for as long as seven days. You may be elated one minute, and crying your eyes out the next, may be unable to sleep, may be grouchy, lonely, and have no interest in food. Usually, all of these symptoms are rather mild, and don't require any medical intervention. There are some things you can do that will help speed your recovery process, and get out of the baby blues sooner. It is imperative that you get enough sleep. Remember that your body has been through a major ordeal, and that it needs time and rest to recover. Sleep during the day when your newborn does, so that you will not only be prepared to be up all night, but your body will be well rested and ready to enjoy motherhood. Don't think you have to do everything yourself. Ask your spouse or family members for help around the house, or with the baby if needed. Sometimes talking to other mothers can help, so you might want to consider joining a support group or an internet forum just for new mothers.

Unlike baby blues, postpartum depression can occur anytime during the first year of your baby's life. Some early warning symptoms include unexplained sadness, extreme fatigue, inability to focus on even mundane tasks, stress, and feeling like you are a failure as a mother, or are worthless to your family and the world. Postpartum depression is much more serious than the baby blues, as it can last significantly longer, and interferes with your life on a daily basis. You cannot handle postpartum depression on your own, it won't just go away with time and rest like the baby blues. You need to consult a physician to learn about treatment options. There are prescription medicines available, counseling sessions, and support groups that can be helpful, either alone, or in combination. Sit down with your doctor and come up with a treatment plan together.

There are some key things that may lead to the development of postpartum depression. Knowing what they are ahead of time, and trying to eliminate them, can possibly prevent you from suffering from postpartum depression at all. If you have a rather rough labor and delivery, lose a lot of sleep with the baby, and can't seem to get your energy back, you may want to seek help. The added stress of trying to juggle motherhood and other responsibilities can sometimes lead to postpartum depression. Self esteem issues, stemming from feelings of inadequacy as a mother, weight issues, maybe less time to pamper yourself, and less alone time with your husband. Newborns are a big drain on your personal time for the first few years of their lives, and it is easy to feel as though you no longer have any time for yourself to do the things you want to do, and no time to spend with the other important people in your life. All of these stresses together greatly increase your risk for developing postpartum depression.

If you have any of the previously mentioned symptoms either during your pregnancy, or after delivery, you should let your practitioner know as soon as possible. Any symptoms that last longer than two weeks should not be overlooked as the baby blues, and you should seek prompt medical intervention. Once you have the baby, and if you allow these symptoms to go untreated, you are much more likely to do something that might seriously hurt your newborn, which you would have to live with for the rest of your life. Don't be embarrassed to seek help, the only time anyone will think bad of you is if you see the symptoms and ignore them.

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