Becoming a new parent can cause a mix of emotions. There are many ups and downs that come along with welcoming a new member to the family. Most new parents, up to 85% according to Harvard, experience some symptoms of “baby blues.”

This can include being easily tearful and being more emotional than usual. However, about 15% of new parents experience postpartum depression. It’s vital for new parents and their support system to know the difference so people who develop postpartum depression get the support and treatment they need. 

In this article, we’ll cover the differences between baby blues and postpartum depression, symptoms of postpartum depression, warning signs when help should be sought right away, and practice steps to take for recovery and getting treatment.

Why Does Postpartum Depression or Baby Blues Happen? 

Baby Blues

The changes in mood and feelings of depression most new parents experience in the weeks after birth are most often attributed to hormonal changes. The body undergoes numerous changes and stressors leading up to, during, and after childbirth. 

These stressors and hormonal changes impact both physical health and mental health. It’s normal for new parents to feel frustrated, easily tearful, and overwhelmed. This is true for the birthing parent, as well as for the partner.

Contributing and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression

Some of the many factors that can contribute to developing postpartum depression include:

• Underlying mental health conditions, such as depression or bipolar disorder
• The parent has previously experienced trauma
• Physical changes due to pregnancy, in particular, hormones and brain structure
• Genetics and family history

In addition, several environmental and situational risk factors increase the likelihood of experiencing postpartum depression, including but not limited to:

• Isolation, loneliness, and limited healthy support from family, friends, and one’s community
• Recent life stressors, such as financial problems, job loss, and other major changes
• If the baby has medical complications
• An unhealthy or troubled relationship with the child’s other parent
• The phase of life of the birthing parent, in particular, if the pregnancy occurs during adolescence 

Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

A common question expecting parents have is, What's the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression? The two have many similarities, but there are key differences, as outlined below. 

Baby Blues

• Duration: Typically lasts 1–2 weeks
• Onset: Starts within a few days of giving birth
• Symptom Severity: Mild to moderate symptoms
• Impact: Symptoms do not interfere with daily life or caretaking

Postpartum Depression

• Duration: Can persist for several months or up to a year
• Onset: Begins in the month or two after birth
• Symptom Severity: Symptoms are severe
• Impact: Symptoms significantly impact the ability to care for oneself and one's baby

When do baby blues become postpartum depression? 

• Time: One of the main differences between the duration of baby blues vs. postpartum depression is timing and duration. When symptoms start and how long they last are key factors for distinguishing between baby blues and postpartum depression. Baby blues typically go away on their own within a few weeks after giving birth, while postpartum depression can last up to a year. 
  
  • Of note, with treatment, postpartum depression can improve much faster than it would without support. Without treatment, postpartum depression can last much longer. 
• Symptom Severity: Another big distinction is the severity of the symptoms people experience. For example, while experiencing baby blues, one may have mild mood swings and some trouble concentrating. This differs from postpartum depression, where people may experience debilitating depression and an inability to focus.
• Impact: People experiencing baby blues are still able to continue caring for themselves and their baby. In contrast, people experiencing postpartum depression have their daily functioning impacted to the point where caring for their baby and themself is incredibly difficult or impossible.

Specific Warning Signs That Indicate Postpartum Depression

Many new parents wonder whether their emotional symptoms are "normal" postpartum adjustment or require professional help. Here are some signs of postpartum depression one may experience after having a baby, in contrast to baby blues.

Signs of Baby Blues

Emotional and Cognitive (Thoughts)

• Irritability, moodiness, sadness
• Some changes in mood
• Feeling “off” or not like yourself
• Mild anxiety; worries related to being a new parent
• Trouble concentrating
• Some feelings of disconnection from the baby while tired or recovering from birth

Physical

• Normal post-birth changes and disturbances
• Feeling tired
• Pain and discomfort associated with recovery from pregnancy and birth

Behavioral

• Tearfulness
• Mild restlessness
• Challenges to daily life activities due to recovering from childbirth

Postpartum Depression Symptoms Checklist

Emotional and Cognitive (Thoughts)

• Anger, fears, feelings of emptiness, or a lack of emotion
• Significant changes in mood, loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Feelings of shame or unworthiness, hopelessness, helplessness
• Psychosis (seeing/hearing things not there, losing touch with reality)
• Worrying excessively, scary thoughts about the baby
• Severe anxiety, panic, doubting one’s ability to care for the baby
• Memory and focus problems, trouble making decisions
• Not feeling attached or bonded to the baby
• Trouble connecting with the baby emotionally

Physical

• Significant changes in weight, sleep (e.g., trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps), appetite, and energy
• Severe fatigue – little to no energy
• Unexplained pain or physical problems that persist even with treatment

Behavioral

• Crying a lot
• Severe restlessness and trouble being still
• Difficulty taking care of oneself and the baby
• Trouble completing daily life tasks and activities, such as bathing

Emotional Red Flags: Beyond Normal Sadness and Worry

It’s totally normal for emotions to run high after giving birth. There are many ups and downs, with exciting milestones that also coincide with new challenges related to parenthood. 

When sadness, worries, or emotional reactions go beyond what’s typical or warranted, that’s when heightened emotions may be a sign of postpartum depression.

Physical Symptoms That Signal Professional Help May Be Needed

Pregnancy and giving birth involve many physical changes and experiences. Some people experience medical complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and due to that, experience significant pain and discomfort, and may require extra care from medical providers and their support system. 

When someone experiences pain or other physical complaints that don’t seem to have a clear cause or don’t go away even with treatment, that may be a sign of postpartum depression. Some examples include digestive upset, cramps, headaches, and bodily aches and pains.

Behavioral Changes That Affect Bonding and Caregiving

Postpartum depression can impact the bond between the new parent and their baby. Considering the symptoms outlined above, it makes sense that one would struggle to cultivate an emotional attachment to their baby while they are also suffering so greatly. Our behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical experiences are interconnected and mutually impact one another. 

Self-Assessment Tools and When to Take Action

There are several things you can do to help you identify when you need to seek professional support.

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Mental Health America offers a free online version of this self-assessment tool for new and expecting parents. This can be a valuable tool for determining whether one could benefit from consulting a healthcare professional. 

Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Symptoms

Here are some questions to ask yourself about what you are experiencing:

• Have I felt hopeless, down, or depressed?
• Have I felt little to no pleasure or interest in things I normally would?
• Am I struggling to care for myself and my baby?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it may be time to consult a professional for an assessment. A licensed healthcare provider can assess for postpartum depression or identify if you may be experiencing something else.

Warning Signs 

There are several signs to watch for that warrant immediate medical attention. We encourage anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek emergency medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room:

• Thoughts of harming oneself or suicide 
• Thoughts of harming the baby
• If you believe you are not capable of caring for the baby
• Postpartum psychosis, including being unable to recognize reality, delusions, seeing or hearing things others cannot, inability to sleep, and confusion

Getting Help: Treatment Options and Support Resources

It’s important to know when and how to get professional support. Having a team of dedicated healthcare providers that specialize in parental health and mental health can make a world of difference. 

Therapy 

There are several types of talk therapy that have been shown to be effective for treating postpartum depression. In particular, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal therapy (IPT) have been shown to be highly effective.

‍Family therapy with both parents can help improve the quality of the relationship between parents, help navigate the challenges of new parenthood, and resolve conflicts and differences in healthy ways.

Medications 

There are numerous medications that can help relieve and reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression. Everyone is different, and it’s important to consult with a provider with expertise in working with reproductive psychiatric concerns. 

Additional Considerations

Look for medical and mental health providers who have the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). That’s a sign that the healthcare provider is experienced and has extensive training in working with the mental health impact of parenthood.

Of note, about half of parents who experience postpartum depression will experience it after future pregnancies, and it’s recommended to work with your provider to be proactive in getting the support and treatment needed to prevent a recurrence of debilitating symptoms.

Supporting Your Recovery and Preventing Complications

Get Support

It’s common for new parents to feel a sense of shame, guilt, or fear that they will be judged for having mental health challenges, on top of all their other stressors and responsibilities. To avoid complications or your condition getting worse, consider seeking out support sooner rather than later. Your future self will thank you for taking the time today to get the help you need.

If you are struggling with baby blues or postpartum depression, you need support now more than ever. Becoming a new parent is one of the most stressful events in one’s life. Support from family, your community, and your healthcare team is vital, and no one gets through this season alone. 

It’s estimated that about half of the people who experience postpartum depression don’t get diagnosed. This means too many new parents aren’t getting the treatment and support they need.

Reach out for support, and allow others to be there for you. You deserve support and to have your own needs met. Additionally, taking good care of yourself will help you be the best parent you can be for your child.

Some ideas on how to find more support for new parents include: 

• Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. This is a great free resource available 24/7 by calling or texting 1-833-TLC-MAMA.
• Seek out support groups in your community.
• Look for baby/parent classes.
• Ask your library for resources for new parents.
• Check out community centers, faith centers, and other community service agencies.
• Call 211 to see what services and supports are available in your area.

Create a Self-Care Plan

It’s all too easy for new parents to put their own needs on the back burner. This is why creating and sticking to a plan for self-care is crucial for your health and that of your new baby.

• Prioritize getting enough sleep. This can help to protect against the worst of postpartum depression symptoms.
• Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.
• Engage in some light exercise as you are able.
• Work with your partner and support system to help with chores, childcare, and allow you time to rest and take care of yourself. 
• The NIH offers an Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth to help identify coping skills and steps to take when experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Keep this on hand to use as needed.
• Avoid alcohol, illicit substances, or taking medications in a way not prescribed. 

Bottom Line

Please remember, postpartum depression is treatable. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. With support, self-care, and treatment, most people recover far more quickly than without intervention. 

If you are a new parent and believe you are struggling with postpartum depression, reach out to the team at Willow Health today. We would be honored to support you in your process of healing and recovery from postpartum depression. We offer same or next business day appointments to ensure people experiencing a mental health crisis get the timely care they need.

Sources and Resources 

Postpartum Depression Test (New & Expecting Parents) 

Depression during and after pregnancy: A resource for women, their families and friends from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Maternal and Child Health 

Certification in Perinatal Mental Health | Postpartum Support International (PSI) 

Postpartum depression 

Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth - NCMHEP | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 

Postpartum Depression Statistics (2025) | PPD Research & Data 

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline | MCHB 

Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression: Mood Disorders and Pregnancy | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Postpartum Depression - Harvard Health

Baby blues after pregnancy | March of Dimes 

Perinatal Depression - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)