Baby blues and postnatal depression: the signs and where to get help

Feeling low, tearful or anxious in the first days after birth is very common. Here’s how the NHS says to tell the baby blues from postnatal depression, and where to get help.

The baby blues

The NHS says feeling down, anxious or irritable for a few days after your baby is born is very common. You may feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is normal. The baby blues usually go away within 2 weeks of the birth.

The NHS suggests things that can help with how you’re feeling:

talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member or health professional
ask for help with practical things like shopping, chores and childcare
get as much sleep and rest as you can
get some regular exercise, even a short walk each day
try a local support group or parent and baby group
make time for things you enjoy, however small
don’t use alcohol or drugs to manage how you feel

When it might be postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is a common mental health condition that can happen after having a baby. The NHS says that if low or anxious feelings start later, or last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth, you could have postnatal depression or anxiety. These are common, and there is treatment.

Symptoms can start while you’re pregnant, soon after the birth, or up to a year after your baby is born. The NHS says to get help if the baby blues continue, get worse, or you’re struggling to cope.

Signs of postnatal depression

The NHS lists these signs:

low mood
finding it hard to enjoy anything
feeling hopeless or that you cannot cope
feeling guilty or worthless, or that you’re a bad parent
feeling fearful or anxious, or worrying all the time
feeling restless or irritable
trouble sleeping, even when you have time to rest
trouble concentrating or making decisions
difficult feelings about your baby, or finding it hard to bond with them
thoughts of suicide, or of harming yourself or your baby

The NHS says it’s important to get help even if you only have some of these signs. Support is available.

If you have thoughts of suicide, or of harming yourself or your baby, get help straight away. See where to get help, below.

Partners can get it too

The NHS says fathers and partners can also have depression after having a baby. PANDAS, a UK charity, says around 10% of fathers have a perinatal mental illness (a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after birth). It offers support for dads and non-birthing partners, including a monthly support call and support groups.

If you’re a partner and you’re struggling, the help below is open to you too.

Postpartum psychosis: a rare emergency

Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness that can start soon after having a baby. The NHS says it should be treated as a medical emergency. It affects around 1 in 1,000 mothers after giving birth. Symptoms usually start suddenly within the first 2 weeks, often within hours or days of the birth. Rarely, they start several weeks later.

The NHS lists these signs:

hearing, seeing, smelling or feeling things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
beliefs or suspicions that are unlikely to be true (delusions)
feeling very high or overactive (mania)
low mood, such as being withdrawn, tearful or anxious, or having trouble sleeping
a mix of high and low moods, or moods that change quickly
being very confused

The NHS says that if you have postpartum psychosis, you may not realise you’re ill. Your partner, family or friends may spot the signs and need to take action.

See a GP immediately if you think you, or someone you know, may have symptoms. Ask for an urgent assessment on the same day. If you can’t speak to a GP, or don’t know what to do next, call NHS 111. Your midwife or health visitor may also be able to help you get care. If you already have a care plan because you’ve been assessed as being at high risk, call your crisis team.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you think you, or someone you know, may be in danger of immediate harm.

The NHS says most people with postpartum psychosis make a full recovery as long as they get the right treatment. Action on Postpartum Psychosis is a UK charity with online chat, meet-ups and guides written with women who have had it.

Where to get help

999 or A&E. Call 999 or go to A&E now if someone’s life is at risk, or you don’t feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.
Your GP, midwife or health visitor. The NHS says to speak to one of them if you think you might have postnatal depression. Treatment can include talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and antidepressants. You might also get care from a specialist community perinatal mental health team.
NHS talking therapies. If you’re 18 or over (or 16 or over in some areas), you can refer yourself without seeing a GP.
NHS 111. For urgent mental health help, call 111 and choose the mental health option, or use NHS 111 online.
Samaritans. Call 116 123 if you need someone to talk to. It’s free and open 24 hours a day.
PANDAS Foundation (Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support). It offers free calls you can book online (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), WhatsApp support and support groups. For urgent help, PANDAS says to call Samaritans on 116 123 or 999.
Mind. The mental health charity has information on postnatal depression and other mental health problems during and after pregnancy.

Questions people ask

How do I know if it’s the baby blues or postnatal depression?

The NHS says the baby blues usually go away within 2 weeks of the birth. If low feelings start later, last more than 2 weeks, get worse, or you’re struggling to cope, speak to your midwife, GP or health visitor.

Can dads and partners get postnatal depression?

Yes. The NHS says fathers and partners can also have depression after having a baby. They can speak to their GP, and PANDAS has support for dads and non-birthing partners.

How long does postnatal depression last?

The NHS says it usually gets better in 3 to 6 months, but it can sometimes last much longer. It also says to get help even if you only have some of the signs.

Can I take antidepressants if I’m breastfeeding?

The NHS says many antidepressants are safe to use while breastfeeding. Talk to your GP about what’s right for you.

My partner is confused and seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. What should I do?

These can be signs of postpartum psychosis. Get them to a GP immediately and ask for an urgent assessment the same day, or call NHS 111 if you can’t reach a GP. Call 999 or go to A&E if you think they may be in danger of immediate harm.