Baby Blues: What is especially important now

Just when you think that the emotional outbursts from pregnancy are finally over, they can completely overwhelm you - because the hormonal changes after childbirth are really tough. And that's perfectly normal, because the baby blues, as the abrupt drop in hormones is called, can affect your overall well-being and drive your emotions completely crazy. Added to this is the unprecedented lack of sleep, exhausting breastfeeding, and of course the after-effects of the birth itself, which put immense strain on the body, especially in the first few days. That's just a lot - and it's okay to feel that too.

A baby blues often comes quite unexpectedly and quite unprepared, but with full bang. Some women feel it more, some less - but very few women are spared it. The good thing about it: In most cases everything is over in a few days or even hours. Nevertheless, it is so important to know in advance that these feelings can not only occur in the first few days after the birth, but are really completely normal. Give them the space they need - and give yourself the time and permission to use it!

Baby Blues: What is it anyway?

Basically, the baby blues (also called postpartum blues) is an emotional upset that can occur due to the drop in the hormones estrogen and progesterone after birth, as well as the associated exhaustion from childbirth and lack of sleep - sometimes more, sometimes less. The baby blues usually occurs between the third and fifth day postpartum, and most women get it in at least a mild form. Depression, emotional roller-coaster rides, and sudden, overwhelming anxiety can all be symptoms. Even though it's supposed to be the happiest time of your life, most of the time you just feel like crying and it all just seems overwhelming. It is important that you allow these feelings and take them seriously.

Because while the baby blues regulate themselves almost entirely on their own within a few days or even hours when your hormonal balance gets back into balance, in a few cases these symptoms can also be signs of postpartum depression. Also known as postpartum depression, this is a real, deeper psychological impairment that can be treated well, but is often difficult to recognize at all. After all, who wants to admit that everything is not as magical as it sounds from all sides? That perhaps the negative thoughts even predominate and motherly love wasn't there at the push of a button as soon as you had your baby in your arms? Nevertheless, professional help is needed here in particular, because unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression does not go away over time.

One thing is very clear: you are not alone with your feelings

Because believe us, it's perfectly normal for your feelings to go haywire - we all can and have done so! Your body has performed an absolute miracle in the last nine months and created a new life - it takes some time for everything to heal and reset. After all, what has grown in nine months cannot simply be over in a few hours. Everything you feel is so legitimate and normal.

The most important thing is – in any case! – to share these feelings with someone. Talking about it helps immensely. Whether it's your partner, midwife, girlfriend, your own mother or whoever is closest to you: you can and should always say something. Sometimes it helps to address and share things.

In addition, this ensures that your environment is sensitized - and the topic is generally more present. Because even if it may not be helpful at the moment, the knowledge that you are not the only one feeling this way is so important to understand what is happening in your body and to accept it as such.

What is particularly important now?

Rest, cuddling, regeneration: The things that are fundamentally incredibly important in childbirth become even more important when the baby blues occurs. Resting, sleeping as much as possible, cuddling with the baby and being pampered so that you can regain your strength quickly: after all, that is exactly what the postpartum bed is for. A lot of bare skin contact with the baby is also important for the production of oxytocin, the so-called "love hormone" - this not only promotes bonding, but also lifts the mood.

Very important: Let yourself be really cared for and supported, because support in childbirth is simply essential and can take some of the stress off you. However, this should by no means be equated with a visit – the general rule here in childbed is: listen to what is good for you! If you want to have friends and family around you, that's fine (in moderation) and can also help with the baby blues. However, if these (and the expectations that come with them!) tend to drag you down even further, it's more than okay to set clear boundaries.

And in any case good to know: If the hormone balance has leveled off to some extent after the first few days, the symptoms of the baby blues usually subside again. The same applies here: if you notice that this is not the case, please confide in your midwife or your doctor if you notice that these feelings are lasting longer.

Other useful links:

The German Depression Aid on 0800/33 44 533 can also help you find help. The association Schatten und Licht has numerous links for the mediation of experts, self-help groups and online therapy offers. Local crisis services and midwife or doctor's practices can also help to put you in touch with the right places for help. And in any case, the book "We weren't prepared for that" by Tanja Sahib is worthwhile to deal better with any minor or major psychological crises that can occur after birth.