Baby blues

Hormonal changes and fatigue are largely responsible for baby blues..
Photo: Marie-Claude Landry
After the birth of your baby it’s normal to have mood swings and to cry more than usual. Many new moms experience the baby blues for a short period of time.
The baby blues follow the birth of the baby and can last from a few days to approximatively two weeks. Hormonal changes and fatigue are largely responsible for this temporary depression.
Here are few tips to help you feel better during this time:
- Talk about how you feel.
- Let the tears flow without trying to resist or worry too much about the cause.
- Get your family and friends to help out a little more.
- Allow yourself to take a break or nap.
- Take care of yourself (see Taking care of yourself).
- Practice skin-to-skin contact with your baby.
- Talk to other parents.
The online tool You, Me, Baby provides strategies to support your well-being. Visit toimoibebe.ca/en.
If your baby blues last for more than two weeks or if you feel more and more sad or irritable, you may be experiencing depression.
You can call Info-Santé or Info-Social at any time by dialling 8-1-1 or contact your CLSC or a psychologist.