More than 30 to 80 percent of new mothers face the baby blues - a relatively mild form of postpartum depression which generally settles down on its own.
However the situation becomes serious when this baby blues take a serious turn and become postpartum depression where the new mother experiences crying spells, profound sadness, feelings of failure and inadequacy along with suicidal thoughts.
So how to overcome this postpartum depression and what can the husband or other family members and friends do to help the new mothers in such situation? Here are six tips to reduce or overcome postpartum depression.
1.
Exercise The best way to overcome or reduce the postpartum depression is to exercise.
As exercise releases feel good hormone that helps in alleviating the mood and thus reduce the postpartum depression.
However as a new mother you should only do the exercises that have been prescribed by the doctor or physiotherapist.
2.
Rest Since the new mothers have to take care of the baby at odd hours also it is imperative for them to take adequate rest.
And this is precisely where the spouse can help the new mother in taking care of the baby while she can rest.
Also for your sake and baby's sake it is quite necessary that you take proper sleep and rest.
3.
Seek support If the thought of looking after the baby is overwhelming you, than don't hesitate to seek help from friends and relatives.
They will be too eager to help you with the baby.
Let grandparents, aunts and uncles dote on your baby while you do something else or go for some beauty treatment after delivery.
4.
Just be yourself Do not let anybody tell you that you have to be perfect mother or a supermom.
Stay calm and be yourself.
Don't try to pretend what you are not.
There will be days when you might resent your baby accept that as normal.
You have just been assigned with the most important job in the world but at the same time you have to remember that you are just a human being.
So just be yourself and relax.
5.
Seek the sun Getting some vitamin D will be good for both your mind as well as body.
Hence either go out in the sun for sometime or if not possible then open the windows and soak the sun from inside.
6.
Eat well Whether you feel hungry or not - though the chances are that you will be very hungry - please do eat a well balanced diet.
Since you are losing lots of calories while feeding your baby, hence eat lots of dry fruits, fruits, green vegetables and drink lots of water and milk.
Hopefully with these steps you can reduce the postpartum depression and enjoy your baby in a healthy and happy way.