I’ve been pretty open about my baby blues experience last Summer. If you’d like to read the post about the baby blues and me, click here. It was easy for me to jot down 7 things that might help with the baby blues. This list doesn’t offer magic answers but hopefully offers a little support or comfort.  This topic is an important one to me (and maybe others too). In case you know of anyone who’s working through the baby blues, read on for 7 things to think about:

1. Don’t feel embarrassed by talking about baby blues, post-natal depression or general anxiety and depression in general. By talking about how you might be feeling means you are taking positive steps, however small, to look after yourself. As well as being one of the most rewarding jobs in the universe being a mum or dad can be tough. Be honest about how you’re feeling with your loved ones. Tell your close friends or family you’re not feeling yourself or you’re going through a low-time. It’s perfectly natural to feel like this after giving birth as our hormones can mess with our energy levels and everyday feelings. When I realised something wasn’t right I went online to find out about organisations that could offer some guidance. Luckily, I came across Pandas Foundation – who provide support for pre-natal and post-natal depression.

2. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor. They may also ask how you’re feeling or if you’re looking after yourself at the post-birth 6 week check up. Midwives on your home-visits may gently ask how you’re doing. Use either as a chance to get some advice and air any worries about how you might be feeling. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your GP or someone who knows you contact another source of professional help. Here are some other sources of help, whether online or helplines to call…

NCT are running a #BeyondBabyBlues campaign. The NCT website also offers support for those suffering from baby blues and post-natal depression.

Pandas organisation is another source of advice on dealing with baby blues and PND. The Pandas helpline is 0843 2898 401

Babycentre.co.uk’s piece on PND

Mind’s section on PND

Check out the NHS website and dealing with depression post birth. 

3.Share your worries or low-times with other mum friends. You never know who may be going through the same thing. If they aren’t, it’s pretty common for mums to look out for each other even if you haven’t known them for long. It’s only when I mentioned my baby blues to others they then told me about their own low-times as mummies.

4.  Read about others’ experiences of baby blues. It is more common that you think but a lot of people can be reluctant to share their stories. Sadly, there is still a taboo about admitting you’re not feeling 100% content or 100% ok when you have brought a baby into the world. Don’t just head to mummy forums. Check out parenting blogs as they may also give you some personal accounted or tips for getting through the babba blues. Remember it’s not just mummies who can go through the baby blues, daddies can go through it too.

5. Remember that having baby blues doesn’t mean you’re not doing a great job as a parent. You’re just having to deal with a change in yourself however temporary or long-term. Baby blues and post-natal depression can crop up during the first few years of your little ones’ life so it can affect people at different times.

6. Think of and then do things that make you happy. This doesn’t have to be take up a lot of time or about spending money (check out my post of The Power of the Me-Treat). For me, it was listening to music whilst hanging out with Baby Munch. She would also happily watch me fish out outfits that made me feel better (my own personal little stylist in the making). Think of one thing a day that you will do to look after yourself. Don’t set yourself high expectations. Make sure your mini-goal is easy to accomplish. This could be going for a walk, speaking to a friend if you can’t see friends, treat yourself to some healthy food or try out a new baby group.

7. If you’ve recognised that something about yourself that doesn’t feel quite right and maybe you’re going through the baby blues, be proud of yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things aren’t perfect. If someone else has noticed you’re going through this try and listen to their worries. They’re only looking out for you, so be proud of them too. With all kinds of support out there, you will know how to deal with any baby blue periods or moments.

If you have any other ideas for coping with the baby blues or low-times or any advice for supporting others going through this kind of thing, please leave a comment. The more ideas of how to support yourself, the better.

Here are some of my favourite blogposts about dealing with the baby blues and post-natal depression. Thank you to these bloggers for sharing their ups and downs. I know reading their posts helped me through a low-time amongst all of the newborn and toddler joy.

The hardest two months of my life by A Cup of Jo

The blog post every mum should read by Our.Rach

Baby blues, PND and extreme tiredness by Jenny Cornish on Huffington Post

Undiagnosed post-natal depression? by The London Mum

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Enjoy Lucky Things blog….