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What Is Postpartum Depression?

Having a baby can bring big changes.
Moms and dads often feel joy, love, and excitement. But sometimes, they can feel sad, worried, or alone. If these feelings don’t go away, it may be something more serious – it may be postpartum depression, which is depression that happens after a baby is born.

Postpartum depression can happen for many reasons. If you’re struggling, it’s important to know you did not cause this, and it is not in any way your fault.

Lots of changes happen after a baby is born that may impact how you feel:

Hormone-changes
Hormone changes
Less-time-self
Less time for yourself
physical-recovery-birth
Physical recovery from birth
Big-responsibilities
Big responsibilities and more stress
Less-sleep-feel
Less sleep and more fatigue
lack-support
Sometimes a lack of support from partner, family, or community

Remember, you are not to blame.

Postpartum depression is a medical condition that requires medical care.

Both Moms and Dads Can Have Postpartum Depression.

It can look or feel different for moms than it does for dads.

for-mom-icon

For Moms

Postpartum depression often begins during pregnancy or in the first few weeks after baby is born. Moms with a history of depression or anxiety, or a lack of support are at greater risk of
postpartum depression.

for-dads-icon

For Dads

Postpartum depression may start later – often 3–6 months after baby is born, but it can happen anytime in the first year. Dads are at greater risk for postpartum depression if they have a partner with postpartum depression, have a personal history of past mental health struggles, or if they are under financial stress.

green-chiles Signs of Postpartum Depression

Here are more signs of postpartum depression and what it might look like for moms compared to dads:

CHANGES YOU MIGHT NOTICE
MOMS
DADS
Mood
  • Sad
  • Crying a lot
  • Feeling hopeless or guilty
  • Angry
  • Stressed
  • Easily frustrated
Connection to Baby
  • Hard time bonding or feeling close to the baby
  • Feeling distant from baby or partner
  • Avoiding baby care
Energy & Sleep
  • Feeling very tired
  • Trouble sleeping even when baby sleeps
  • Tired from lack of sleep
  • May spend more time at work or away
Eating & Physical Body Feelings
  • Eating too little or too much
  • May have body aches and pains
  • Changes in eating
  • Stomach problems
  • Headaches
Ability to Focus
  • Trouble thinking clearly or making decisions
  • Hard to focus
  • Less interest in work or home life
Anxiety
  • Feeling very anxious or like a “bad mom”
  • Worries about money or providing for family
  • More irritable
Serious Thoughts of Harm
  • May think about harming self or baby
  • May feel trapped and think about running away
  • May think about self-harm

Warning icon If you have serious thoughts of harming yourself, your baby, or others, get help right away.

help-sign

If you or someone you love shows any of these signs, it’s important to reach out for help. Getting help right away will benefit you, your baby, and the rest of your family.

Here’s how to make life a little easier during this time:

food unsafe How to Feel Better

There are things you can try that may help, like:

depression_comfort_friend
✓

Talking with someone you trust — a partner, friend, or family member.

Let them know how you feel. Others care about you and want to help, even if it’s just to listen.

✓

Making rest a priority.

Sleep when you can. Ask for help with caring for your baby so you can rest – even if just for an hour or so.

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bac-walking_outside
✓

Getting outside.

Go for a walk, breathe fresh air, and move your body a little. As little as 15 minutes outside can refresh your mood.

✓

Eating well and staying hydrated.

Try to eat regular meals with a variety of foods you enjoy. Drink plenty of water every day to help fight fatigue and irritability – which are both signs of dehydration.

bac-drinking_water
bac-bathtub_reading_book_mug
✓

Finding time for things you enjoy.

Even simple things like listening to music, reading a book or favorite blog, or taking a relaxing bath. Schedule a bit of time each day to do something just for you.

✓

Talking with a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional.

Sometimes feeling better requires therapy (“talking help”) or medicine. A mental health care provider can help you find ways to manage your feelings or may recommend medication to help you feel more like yourself again.

bac-counseling_help_women
pumpkin Ingredients When to Get Help

If things don’t improve or start to feel worse instead of better, get help right away from a licensed medical provider. Especially if you feel:

  • Unsafe or very out of control
  • Like you might hurt yourself or the baby
  • Like you can’t take care of the baby or yourself
phonecall_depressed_woman
Find Help Where to Find Help

The following are trusted resources that offer information and support to help.

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

PSI offers support to parents and families suffering from postpartum depression, anxiety, and distress.

online-support-icon
Online Support: ​
Helpline
call-icon
Call 1-800-944-4773

(4PPD) #1 En Español or #2 English

Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (English)

Text en Español 971-203-7773

Click here for free and virtual support groups, where you can talk with other parents going through similar things online:
PSI Online Support Meetings
Click here to find a provider (therapist or counselor) in your area who knows about postpartum mental health:
Provider Directory

NIH Action Plan for Depression & Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth

The National Institutes of Health has an Action Plan to help moms and dads see signs of depression or anxiety before or after baby arrives. It includes what to watch for, how to take care of yourself, and when to reach out for help.

online-support-icon
Click here to learn more:
nichd.nih.gov
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To find a mental health provider in your area, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
counseling_help_men_professional_friend
You Are Not Alone

Postpartum depression can feel very scary. But you are not alone. Many moms and dads feel this way. It can get better with help. You deserve support, care, and kindness – for yourself and your family.

If you or your partner aren’t feeling like yourself after the baby arrives, reach out. Talk, call, or ask for help. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can begin to feel better.

REFERENCES:

Cleveland Clinic. Dehydration and mental health: what’s the connection? (2025, March 28).
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dehydration-and-affect-on-mental-health

Cleveland Clinic. How the outdoors can improve your mood. (2024, April 9).
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/04/09/how-the-outdoors-can-improve-your-mood

Mayo Clinic. Postpartum depression. (2022, November 24).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376623

Office on Women’s Health. Postpartum Depression. (2023, October 17).
https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression

National Institute of Mental Health. Perinatal Depression. (2023).
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression

Postpartum Support International. Help For Dads. (2025).
https://postpartum.net/get-help/help-for-dads/

Postpartum Support International. Get Help. (2025).
https://postpartum.net/get-help/

Postpartum Support International. Contact the PSI HelpLine. (2025).
https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-helpline/

Postpartum Support International. Online Provider Directory. (2025).
https://postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/

Postpartum Support International. Find an Online Support Group. (2025).
https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/

National Institutes of Health. Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth. (2022, June 2).
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/moms/action-plan

Author: Amanda Hojnacki