How To Help Someone With Postpartum Depression

What is Postpartum Depression?

As they start out as mothers, new moms face a variety of unfamiliar obstacles. Many new moms struggle with sleep deprivation and perhaps even breast discomfort from breastfeeding and caring for a newborn. Additionally, women’s hormone levels increase during pregnancy. These elevated hormone levels quickly decline after pregnancy, which might result in a specific type of clinical depression associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Postpartum depression is the name given to this type of depression.

Ways To Help Someone With Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 9 women, which is higher than you might imagine. Although postpartum depression can start any moment during the first year of a baby’s life, it affects new moms most frequently in the first three weeks following delivery. In contrast to the “baby blues,” which generally usually linger a week or two, postpartum depression may be the cause of symptoms, and sentiments of sadness, helplessness, and guilt persist.

You might ask how to assist someone with postpartum depression if someone you love is in distress. Here are some recommendations for supporting someone experiencing postpartum depression:

Listen to and Support them

Since postpartum depression and anxiety are biological diseases, her condition is not your fault, and you cannot cure it. She will feel like herself again once her brain chemistry returns to normal. But it is your responsibility to assist her as this occurs.

Moreover, she is likewise not counting on you to “correct it.” It’s just that she needs your support, not your attempt to solve the issue. Don’t make suggestions for easy fixes. She only requires your attention.

You can let her rest at night. For a mom to go through a complete sleep cycle, she requires five hours of unbroken sleep each night. Make sure she gets that rest by handling some of the overnight care responsibilities. Many individuals in the family have mentioned how connected they are to the kids due to caring for them at night.

In addition, it is unrealistic to expect a postpartum woman, even one who is not sad, to carry out regular domestic chores. So don’t expect out-of-the-box things from her. Tell her again that you are there to look after the baby and the house as well.

Don’t Compare her to yourself or anyone

If you’re a parent and you’re attempting to help a woman with postpartum depression, don’t match your situation to theirs. Sayings like “When I had a kid, I did this” or “If you follow the same, you will feel a bit better” are inappropriate. Many postpartum depressed mothers generally feel inferior to other mothers or that they are not fantastic parents. It’s possible that you’re merely magnifying the regret and humiliation by comparing your circumstances.

Also Read: Why You Should Surround Yourself With Positive People

Talk Good to Her

A postpartum depressed woman may feel like she may never sound like herself anymore. Tell her that’s not accurate again. Inform her that the emotions she is experiencing are not actually hers. They won’t persist permanently, and she can get better with therapy. Remember to reassure her when she feels disheartened that postpartum depression is a medical illness, even though it will take time to heal.

Make Plans and Stick to them

Finding stuff you can do to help the woman and her family is yet another method to provide postpartum depression assistance. Even though it would be simple to say, “Let me see how I can help,” or similar phrases, postpartum depressed mothers would never speak out since they already feel inadequate and overly reliant on others. Offer assistance in more particular ways and at more specific times. This can involve cooking dinner over one evening or getting someone to babysit the child for a few hours so a mother can get some rest. Create detailed plans and execute them.

Support Her Decisions

Encouraging a mother’s efforts, especially those she has made in consultation with her doctors, is one of the best things you can do to help her with postpartum depression if she is getting therapy. A doctor could advise using medicines when treating postpartum depression. Back the decision to take medication if a woman with postpartum depression and her doctor make it.

A mother might also opt to cease nursing. If you’re a husband, talk to your wife about it and ensure she understands that she has your support if she wants it. It’s equally important to encourage this choice if you’re a friend giving postpartum depression care. Remember, don’t draw comparisons to the experiences of other mothers, notably your own.

Also Read: Rules To Live By For A Joyful Life

Appreciate Small Things

When minor achievements have no effect on the mother’s emotions, that is another sign of Post depression. For instance, perhaps she was successful in putting her infant to sleep, but no one was present to applaud her efforts. “Newborns can’t appreciate their mother for feeding them, so make sure you support them remotely. Perhaps the mother finally succeeded in getting her infant to latch, she ate breakfast this morning, or she does not feel like a miserable disaster for the first time in a long time. Find a pleasant method to celebrate with her, whatever the victory.

Takeaway Postpartum Depression Help?

Anyone can provide support to a woman who is experiencing postpartum depression, regardless of their marital status, their friendships, or their family. Even the little things matter. Therefore, consider what you can do to support your dear one during this trying time. Everything you do, from keeping the kids for an hour while mom naps to sending her a text to let her know you love her, matters.