A woman’s body goes through many hormonal changes that result in a range of powerful emotions during pregnancy and postpartum. For instance, some new mothers’ experience of postpartum is called the baby blues, where they feel sad and depressed. They may also feel anxious about being a new mother and doubt their parenting abilities.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

The baby blues typically clear up on their own in about two weeks. However, some new mothers experience these feelings for much longer. When a new mother experiences more intense and longer-lasting baby blues, it is considered postpartum depression.

As a new mother, it is crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the baby blues and postpartum depression. This way, if you experience these feelings, you will understand that your body is continuing to experience hormonal changes as hormone levels are attempting to return to their pre-pregnancy state.

Furthermore, whether the feelings and emotions last a few weeks or months, it is essential to have coping strategies for postpartum depression in place. Signs You May Have Postpartum Depression

The symptoms associated with the baby blues and postpartum depression can range from mild to severe. Some of the more common signs that could indicate the mother may need help coping with postpartum depression include:

• Sudden Mood Swings
• Anxiety
• Prolonged Periods of Sadness
• Feeling Depressed
• Crying for No Reason
• Insomnia
• Lack of Appetite
• Problems Concentrating
• Irritability
• Quick to Anger
• Feeling Guilty
• Withdrawal from Family and Friends
• Not Wanting to Care for the Newborn
• A Sense of Hopelessness
• Feeling Overwhelmed
• Thoughts of Self-Harm or Harming the Newborn
• Lack of Energy
• Difficulties Bonding with the Newborn
• Panic Attacks

Tips for Dealing with Postpartum Depression

Now that you know what signs and symptoms to look for, you will want to be prepared before giving birth. Use these tips for dealing with postpartum depression so you can implement them immediately should you help.

#1. Get Plenty of Rest

Your health and well-being are just as important as your newborn’s. You need to get sufficient sleep to help keep your mind focused. Proper sleep can also help reduce the severity of postpartum depression. The best way to ensure you get the rest you need is to sleep when your newborn does.

#2. Continue to Eat a Healthy Diet

It is easy to turn to comfort foods when you are feeling sad and depressed. While this is okay once in a while, you still want to eat plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, dairy products, and lean meats to give your body the energy it needs to heal and return to normal hormone levels.

#3. Make Time to Exercise

Exercising for at least a half-hour every day helps boost the natural release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural chemicals in the body that make you feel relaxed, calm, and happy. Exercise and resultant endorphins are considered a non-medical treatment for postpartum depression.

#4. Take Time for Yourself

Even if you are a single parent, you can often rely on family and friends to assist with caring for your newborn to give you a much-needed break. When they do, allow yourself to do things you enjoy, such as soaking in a hot bath, reading a book, or just going for a walk. During this time, focus on yourself and your mental health.

#5. Consider Breastfeeding Your Newborn

Some new mothers find that breastfeeding is an effective coping strategy for postpartum depression. Even nursing your baby part of the time can be beneficial. However, if breastfeeding is not something you enjoy, choose a feeding method that is best for you.

#6. Do Not Isolate Yourself Away

Having physical and emotional support can help immensely with postpartum depression. Even if you do not feel like talking, just having a loved one in the same room near you can do wonders for your mental health and well-being.

#7. Hire a Baby Nurse or Postpartum Doula

Imagine what you could do if you had an extra person helping you with your newborn. Both baby nurses and postpartum doulas are good choices to get the added support you need. In addition, they make it easier for you to use these tips for dealing with postpartum depression.  What Is a Baby Nurse?

A baby nurse, or newborn care specialist, is a professional with experience caring for newborn babies. They also provide parental support to allow you to take care of yourself and get the rest you need.

Additionally, they help a mom with postpartum depression by assisting with feeding, diaper changes, bathing, infant laundry, and sleep training your newborn to help get them on your schedule.

What Is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is a different type of professional to help a mom with postpartum depression. Instead of just focusing on the newborn and the mother, a postpartum doula supports the entire family, including your partner or spouse and your other children.

Some of the more common duties they perform include light housekeeping, running errands, light meal preparation, sibling care, feeding support, diaper changes, bathing, baby soothing techniques, and helping with emotional and physical recovery.

Benefits a Baby Nurse Offers the Family

A baby nurse provides several benefits for coping with postpartum depression, such as:

• Day or Night Newborn Care
• Gives the Mother a Much-Needed Break
• Allows the Mother Time to Care for Herself
• Assists with All Aspects of the Postpartum Recovery Period
• Helps Manage the Newborn’s Care
• Helps Establish the Newborn’s Routine
• Provides an Extra Person Qualified to Care for a Newborn
• Allows the Mother Time to Spend with Other Family Members
• Helps New Mothers Transition into Their New Parental Role
• Offers Physical and Emotional Postpartum Depression Support
• Provides Advice on How Mothers Can Bond with Their Babies
• Refers You to Outside Postpartum Depression Resources When Needed

Benefits a Postpartum Doula Offers the Family

While a postpartum doula provides many similar benefits as a baby nurse, there are some differences. For starters, they typically only work part-time and during the day. Next, they focus on the needs of the entire family. They also offer advice and coping strategies for postpartum depression, including referrals to local resources and support groups.

Should I Hire a Baby Nurse or Postpartum Doula?

It can be hard to decide whether a baby nurse or postpartum doula would better suit your needs. A postpartum doula usually assists the family between two and four weeks after delivering your newborn baby. On the other hand, a baby nurse provides ongoing support and care for as long as needed.

Another crucial consideration is whether you want support for your entire family or just yourself and your newborn baby. It is also perfectly acceptable to hire a baby nurse and a postpartum doula to enjoy all the benefits these professionals offer. For example, you could have a postpartum doula work during the day and have a baby nurse work overnight.

Finding a Baby Nurse to Help with Postpartum Depression

When you want to find the best postpartum care for you and your baby and be prepared for coping with postpartum depression, Staffing at Tiffanie’s can help you find a baby nurse or postpartum doula.

We take the time to get to know you and your family to help you decide which professional is best for your needs. Then, we carefully match you with prospective candidates that best match your personality and ideals.

All of our baby nurses and postpartum doulas also undergo an extensive background check to ensure we are providing you and your family with the very best newborn care and postpartum depression care professionals. For further information or to hire a baby nurse or postpartum doula, please feel free to contact Staffing at Tiffanie’s at 866-484-5550 today!