Mental and Emotional Health
Nursing Your BEST
Pregnancy and parenthood bring a lot of different emotions.
It’s normal to feel all of these emotions, but sometimes you just need help.
Emotional roller coaster
It is normal to feel excited, joyful, anxious, or overwhelmed as you adjust to a new baby. You may even feel all of these emotions in a short period of time. Hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and new responsibilities can make you feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster.
If you are ever concerned about how you’re feeling, talk with someone now.
Take Care of Yourself
Here are some ways to take care of your mental and emotional health as you welcome a new baby.
Get Rest
The first few days at home after having your baby are a time for rest and recovery—physically and emotionally. It’s good to focus your energy on yourself and on getting to know your new baby. You, your family, and friends may be very excited to spend time together, but there will be plenty of time for that. In the early days, try to limit visitors and get as much rest as possible. It’s perfectly normal if all you can do is eat, sleep, and care for your baby.
Keep Nursing!
Nursing releases a hormone called prolactin that helps you relax. Nursing also strengthens the bond between you and your baby.
Talk To Someone
Talking to your partner or a trusted friend or family member can be a powerful release that helps you feel better.
Connect with other parents
Find a support group in your neighborhood or online. These groups give you the chance to share with others who are going through similar experiences.
Accept help and do less
Don’t be afraid to ask others to help with the baby and household chores so you can take care of yourself, too. If chores don’t get done, that’s okay too. Time spent caring for yourself and your baby is more important than a perfect house.
Pay attention to your feelings
Acknowledge how you’re feeling and spend some extra time on yourself.
Go outside
Sunshine and a change of scenery can help brighten your mood. Many people with depression have reported feeling better after bright-light therapy.
Get some exercise
Regular exercise is good for your mind and body. It also increases your energy level and helps you feel like your old self faster.
Do something you enjoy
Take a few minutes each day to do something you enjoy, whether it’s chatting with a friend, listening to music, or watching a favorite show.
Be realistic
Don’t worry about being perfect. Just do what you can and leave the rest!
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
You may feel like you’re the only person in the world who feels depressed or anxious during pregnancy or after your baby is born, but you are not alone. 1 out of 8 birth parents experience postpartum depression after having a baby.
Depression or anxiety is not a sign of weakness or a sign that you are doing something wrong. It is a medical condition that can have long-term health effects, and it is not likely to go away on its own. But with treatment, there is hope. There are treatments available that can reduce the symptoms or make them go away completely, and that are safe for you and your baby while nursing. Talk with your health-care provider about what treatment may be right for you.
Know the Signs and Take Action
You may be experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety if you…
- Have feelings of intense anxiety that hit with no warning
- Feel foggy and have difficulty completing tasks
- Feel “robotic,” like you are just going through the motions
- Have little interest in things you used to enjoy
- Feel very anxious around the baby and your other children
- Have scary, upsetting thoughts that don’t go away
- Feel guilty and feel like you are failing at parenthood
- Get help. Contact your health care provider or visit a clinic.
- Call Postpartum Support International at 1-800-944-4PPD (4773) to speak to a volunteer who can provide support and resources in your area.
- Talk to your partner, family, and friends about these feeling so they can help you.
Get help now!
If you…
- Feel hopeless and total despair
- Feel out of touch with reality (you may see or hear things other people don’t)
- Feel that you may hurt yourself or your baby
Get help now!
- Call 9-1-1 for immediate help.
- Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free and confidential emotional support—they talk about more than just suicide.
- Contact your healthcare provider or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Locator at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to find a health care provider in your area.