The Postpartum Period

The following are some of the things that you can expect during the postpartum period:

• You might experience something called the postpartum blues or the "baby blues"
  Related to the relative change in hormones that accompanies the process of birth, the baby blues can make the postpartum period -- or at least those first few days or weeks after birth -- full of emotional intensity and reactivity. The postpartum blues are considered to be normal part of the postpartum experience. Click here to learn more about the postpartum blues.



• You are recovering from the birth process and ALSO trying to keep your tiredness and fatigue at a manageable level
  This, of course, is not an easy thing to do with a new baby who needs to eat every few hours. The physical toll of the postpartum period can also be especially difficult if you've got the additional challenges of a colicky baby, health issues, other children, and/or lots of other things on your plate to deal with. Click here for more information about postpartum fatigue.



• You are figuring out how to take care of your new baby
  Every baby is different and every situation is different. As such, things often don't go "by the book" or totally as expected. Developing a sense of confidence and competence in your ability to take care of your baby is not only a big part of those first postpartum weeks, it is also one of the main components of the adjustment process. Click here to learn more about the main tasks of the postpartum adjustment process.



• You are getting to know your baby, working to develop that feeling of "being in love" with them
  This is another major component of the adjustment process , and is a key focus during the postpartum period. Importantly, most moms don't fall in love with their babies right away -- it can easily take a month or so before you really feel like you've bonded with your baby. This, for the most part, is totally normal.

  Sometimes, though, if that feeling of connection is just not developing, it can be a signal that something more serious is going on -- possibly something like postpartum depression. If you are concerned about postpartum depression, or feel that you are not coping, please see your health care provider. You can also complete a simple self-screening for PPD by clicking here.




• You are trying to deal with the sudden loss of control, loss of routine, frustration, and sense of whelm (sometimes even overwhelm) that accompanies the birth of a new child
  This is a big part of what the early stage of the adjustment process all about -- just working to "get a handle on" the new responsibilities and realities of being a mother to a new baby, along with prioritizing your own physical recovery. Click here to learn more about the different phases of the adjustment process.

Information about Breastfeeding


Click here for some great "momoirs"
Books by moms, for moms, about motherhood


Do you have a postpartum period story or experience to share?
Click here to submit it


Go to the Parenting Culture section of the Motherhood Cafe


Learn more about PPD Here