Baby blues vs postpartum depression

Feeling tearful, anxious, irritable or emotionally overwhelmed in the days after giving birth can be part of the baby blues. The main difference between baby blues and postpartum depression is that baby blues are usually brief and settle within 2 weeks, while postpartum depression can last longer, feel more persistent and significantly affect everyday life.

You do not need to work out by yourself which one you are experiencing. If difficult feelings continue, become more intense or make it hard to cope, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP.

In the UK, postpartum depression is usually called postnatal depression. Both terms describe depression that develops after having a baby.

What are the baby blues?

The first days after birth can bring a surprisingly wide range of emotions. You may feel happy one moment and tearful, worried or irritable the next.

The NHS says feeling down, anxious or irritable for a few days after having a baby is very common. These temporary mood changes are often called the baby blues.

Baby blues usually pass within 2 weeks after the birth. They do not mean that you are developing postnatal depression, and having difficult feelings during this period does not say anything about how much you love or care for your baby.

Giving birth and adjusting to life afterwards can involve physical recovery, hormonal changes, disrupted sleep and major changes to everyday routines. There is no requirement to feel a particular way simply because you have had a baby.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression, is a mental health condition that can develop after having a baby.

Unlike the baby blues, symptoms do not simply disappear after a few days. The NHS advises seeking help if feelings associated with the baby blues continue beyond 2 weeks, become worse or leave you struggling to cope.

Postnatal depression can begin soon after birth, but it does not always appear immediately. NHS guidance says symptoms can begin during pregnancy, shortly after birth or at any point during the first year after having a baby.

It can affect people differently, so there is no single experience that everyone with postnatal depression will recognise.

Baby blues vs postpartum depression: the main differences

The clearest differences are usually how long the feelings last, how severe they become and how much they affect daily life.

Baby blues commonly involve feeling tearful, anxious, irritable or emotionally unsettled during the first days after birth. According to the NHS, these feelings usually go away within 2 weeks.

Postpartum depression involves more persistent symptoms. These can include low mood, loss of enjoyment, hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating and problems sleeping even when there is an opportunity to rest.

Some people with postnatal depression also find it difficult to bond with their baby or experience distressing thoughts.

The distinction is not something you have to diagnose yourself. If you are unsure what you are experiencing, your GP, midwife or health visitor can listen to what has been happening and help you access appropriate support.

Symptoms of postpartum depression

The NHS lists several possible symptoms of postnatal depression. You may experience some rather than all of them.

Symptoms can include:

persistent low mood
finding it difficult to enjoy things
feeling hopeless or unable to cope
feeling guilty or worthless
persistent anxiety or fear
irritability or restlessness
difficulty sleeping even when you have an opportunity to rest
difficulty concentrating or making decisions
difficult feelings about your baby or difficulty bonding
thoughts about suicide, self-harm or harming your baby

Some of these experiences can overlap with the ordinary demands of caring for a newborn. Tiredness, for example, is common after birth. What matters is the wider pattern of how you are feeling and whether symptoms are persistent or affecting your ability to cope.

A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms rather than expecting you to decide whether they are serious enough.

Can postpartum depression start later?

Yes. Postpartum depression does not have to begin during the first few days or weeks after birth.

The NHS states that symptoms can develop at any time during the first year after having a baby. They may also begin during pregnancy and continue after birth.

This matters because someone may initially feel emotionally well and develop symptoms later. A difficult period months after birth should not be dismissed simply because the baby blues period has passed.

If you notice persistent changes in your mood, thoughts, sleep or ability to cope, speak to your GP or health visitor.

What if I am not sure which one I have?

You do not need certainty before asking for support.

A useful question is not only, “Is this baby blues or postpartum depression?” but also, “How am I coping?”

If your feelings are getting worse, lasting beyond the first 2 weeks, interfering with daily life or making you frightened about your own thoughts, contact a healthcare professional.

Your GP, midwife or health visitor may ask about your mood, thoughts and daily life. The NHS says you may also be asked to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms.

Asking for help does not require you to arrive with a diagnosis.

Getting support for postpartum depression

Postnatal depression is a recognised health condition and professional support is available.

The NHS says treatment can include talking therapies and, in some circumstances, antidepressant medication. The appropriate option depends on the individual, so treatment decisions should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are breastfeeding or taking other medication, tell the clinician supporting you so this can be considered when discussing treatment.

Practical and emotional support can matter too. If you have people you trust, you may want to tell them how you are feeling and ask for help with everyday tasks. There is no prize for managing everything alone.

What about postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is different from both the baby blues and postpartum depression. It is a serious mental health illness that should be treated as a medical emergency.

According to the NHS, symptoms often begin suddenly within the first 2 weeks after birth and can include hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, mania, a very low mood or rapidly changing moods.

Someone experiencing postpartum psychosis may not recognise that they are unwell. If you think you or someone you know may have symptoms, seek urgent medical assessment the same day.

When to get professional advice

Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if feelings of sadness, anxiety or irritability last longer than 2 weeks after birth, become worse, or you are struggling to cope. You can also ask for help earlier if you are worried about how you feel.

Seek urgent professional help if you have thoughts of suicide, self-harm or harming your baby.

Postpartum psychosis requires urgent medical assessment. If you or someone you know develops hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, mania or other symptoms that suggest postpartum psychosis, contact a GP urgently for a same-day assessment or use NHS 111 if you cannot reach a GP.

If there is an immediate danger to you, your baby or someone else, call 999 or go to A&E.

You do not have to wait until symptoms fit neatly into a particular description. If something about your mental health feels concerning, your midwife, health visitor or GP can help you decide what support is appropriate.