Most new mothers are aware of postpartum depression. But it’s not always easy to recognize the symptoms when you’re dealing with this condition yourself. After all, there’s no avoiding the fact that the early days of parenthood represent an exhausting transition period.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first. However, if feelings of hopelessness, deep fatigue, and constant guilt persist, you may need support for postpartum depression.
Lots of parents assume that the risk of postpartum depression subsides in the first few weeks or so after their baby’s birth. However, researchers have found that symptoms of postpartum depression can actually peak for mothers when their baby is about nine months old.
Here are a few reasons why postpartum depression can actually worsen when babies are several months old.
Postpartum Depression Timeline
A lack of sleep is to be expected when you are parenting a newborn. Therefore, it’s no surprise that all new parents feel tired and even a bit cranky after their babies are born. Feelings like this are not necessarily symptoms of postpartum depression.
But what if these feelings continue for a longer period of time, even once the family has settled into a routine and their baby is sleeping more often? This can be indicative of postpartum depression. Although there is no strict “timeline,” postpartum depression often develops between a few weeks to six months after the baby’s birth.
However, symptoms can worsen for several months afterward, with many new mothers reporting their worst symptoms when their babies are nine months old.
Increased Responsibilities
Taking care of a newborn is not easy. But a healthy newborn’s needs are fairly simple, and for parents who have parental leave, it’s possible to stay home for a few months and exclusively focus on childcare. However, by the time your baby is nine months old, their own needs are going to be more complex.
There’s also a strong chance that you’re now balancing childcare and full-time work. Dealing with these increased responsibilities can make postpartum depression much more severe.
Lack of Support
When your baby is born, your family and friends might go out of their way to help you. They know that you need a lot of support, and they’re ready to stop by and help out with chores, set up a meal train so that you don’t have to cook, and be a shoulder to cry on when you just need to vent.
Months later, you might look around to find that your support system has shrunk to immediate family. Your friends may not have the capacity to go the extra mile for you, especially if they have their own children to care for.
And if you live far away from your loved ones, you may not have visitors traveling to see you and your child anymore. Feeling isolated can contribute to postpartum depression.
Emotional Shift
In the days and weeks after becoming a mother, you may have felt exhausted. But the excitement of meeting your new baby was also euphoric. There were emotional ups and downs. Yet you had anticipated this moment for so long that at times, it may have been easy to dismiss those feelings of sadness.
After a few months, this early euphoria and excitement can fade, making the challenges feel insurmountable. The glow you felt has dissipated, and now, you’re wondering how you can go on like this. Many new mothers are caught off guard by this emotional shift.
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Do you suspect that you’re struggling with postpartum depression? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to me today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.