The baby blues, what is it?

A swinging alliteration in English, the “ baby blues ”, it sounds good! And yet: this is a period that young mothers go through very frequently, but which is anything but a moment of pleasure. Fortunately, it is only a passage (another one! when we tell you that pregnancy does not last nine months ... ) to go through.

Baby is here, why do I have the blues?

It is often the most anticipated moment: childbirth is experienced as “deliverance” and the much-imagined meeting with your little one provides intense emotions. We tell ourselves that what awaits us is happiness and fulfillment. Certainly, but between what the body has been through, the first sleepless nights, the hormones on a roller coaster... mental and physical take a hit, even if it means making us have a difficult first few days/weeks. It is estimated that 50 to 80% of women go through this mood-altering episode. This starts in the first days of pregnancy (around the 3rd) and can last up to 2 weeks (symptoms can persist beyond that, accentuated by changing routine and accumulation).

The baby blues aren’t “all in the new mom’s head”! They’re a direct result of all the changes she’s going through. After birth, pregnancy hormones drop sharply (especially progesterone and estrogen, which were produced in the placenta). Meanwhile, the hormones that support breastfeeding (like oxytocin and prolactin) skyrocket (it’s a roller coaster, we tell you! No wonder it’s a wild ride. And wait—we haven’t even mentioned the return of your period yet!)... Add to that the inevitable lack of sleep, sprinkle in the sudden stress that comes with the reality of having this little one in your arms, and you’ve got the baby blues.

How to recognize the baby blues?

The signs of baby blues can vary from woman to woman (just like no pregnancy will ever be the same as the next one). But the symptoms to spot are low morale, mood swings, irritability, intense fatigue (psychic and physical), greater sensitivity, crying (for nothing, etc.), disturbed sleep, etc. sometimes anxiety (will I be a good mother?), the feeling of not being good enough, and sometimes the sadness of an “empty stomach” (mourning the loss of carrying your child and the fusion).

We also call it the bottom of the bucket, the end of the roll (or the end of the tape, alternatively), the “I can't take it anymore” (if you have others, we'll take them to expand our vocabulary!). In short, we are suffocated, everything seems dizzying and we feel overwhelmed. Don't add a dose of guilt on top (like “I shouldn't be sad when my baby is here”): what you feel is just NORMAL. It is a very common episode after childbirth, which does not affect the relationship between the mother and her baby, and which disappears. gradually.

More severe or longer symptoms: watch out for postpartum depression

The baby blues are not supposed to set in for too long after giving birth (often two weeks but the reality of accumulated fatigue can prolong the symptoms #weevenknow), and even if it is painful, these mental disorders mood are without serious consequences. On the other hand, if your symptoms worsen or persist over time, you must discuss it with your medical entourage (midwife, doctor, etc.). It could be postpartum depression. It is a disease that requires treatment, and which should not be taken lightly. It can begin during the first year following childbirth (be careful between the 6th and 9th week post-partum). Great sadness, exhaustion, daily crying attacks that last for more than two weeks, difficulty being with your child are all symptoms to watch out for. If you have the slightest doubt, speak up! Don't go through this alone, putting it down to fatigue.

Are you wondering if the postpartum period lasts 3 months, 6 months, or even 1 year? Find out the answer in our article, “How Long Does the Postpartum Period Last?”

Also note that anxiety disorders are very common among new fathers or co-parents during the postpartum period. So, no matter what, keep communicating with each other, talk to one another, and take care of each other.

How can you overcome the baby blues? By taking care of yourself!

Between mental load, doctor’s appointments, and that tiny little person who demands constant attention, taking care of… yourself never seems like a priority. And yet! A mom who’s in good shape will be much better equipped to handle her baby’s needs. This requires a supportive network of people who are there for you (dad, healthcare providers, family, friends…) to reassure you, lend a hand, lighten your daily load, and/or give you a chance to step back and take some time for yourself. In short, break free from this kind of loneliness that can sometimes feel so overwhelming. Why not start by treating yourself to 30 minutes or an hour whenever you can? Whether it’s to take a nap, get a massage, or just go for a coffee on a sunny patio, find a way to give yourself a little breathing room to “catch your breath.”

And at the same time, don’t neglect your mental and physical well-being. The time it takes varies from one new mom to another, but the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll get back on your feet! It starts with eating well. But that’s not always enough for your body to recover. That’s why we created Moral Boost, our dietary supplement for stress and fatigue: to support moms. It supports emotional balance, combats fatigue, and helps you cope with stress. Naturally safe for breastfeeding, it pairs perfectly with our pregnancy vitamins—which you can continue taking postpartum and therefore use simultaneously—to provide your body with the vitamins and minerals (everything is explained on our product page) it needs. And it certainly deserves them! We can’t sleep for you… but we could do this. So we did!