Took the vow of being the best support- the time is here to fulfill it Husbands- Oops, now Daddies! Whether new or experienced, postpartum depression is real & it’s severe for moms. Undoubtedly, it requires a lot of effort from both parents to nurture a child & evidently can take up a lot of physical and emotional strength. Indeed, from husbands, it demands to be the pillar of strength for moms who have been fighting with all their baby blues. Remember nobody like you can boost up the momma or can demotivate her for all the battles she has been fighting alone since day one of pregnancy. Whether it is the pre-pregnancy phase, the childbirth, or the postpartum- your wife seeks you to be her first & immediate help.
Is baby blues the same as postpartum depression & Postpartum Psychosis?-
Baby Blues is a short & much compact term for postpartum depression as PPD can be extended to months & years after childbirth. Certainly, baby blues is a short-time period of sadness & drastic mood swings that mothers face after the baby is born. However, PPD is a chronic stretch that involves shattering mommas emotionally & psychologically.
- Baby blues can extend up to 15 days and mothers face a few hours each day of fatigue, sadness, or irritation. For instance, you are happy one moment & might cry the other second.
- Whereas, Postpartum Depression or PPD is much more severe than baby blues. It feels like detachment from child & husband, hopelessness, anxiety, long hours of crying, extreme stress, not feeling to eat anything, etc. Also, it can last up to a year or two after childbirth & at its severe peak demands medical help when turned to postpartum psychosis.
- The extremely severe phase of postpartum depression is Postpartum Psychosis. Even, it can in the rarest cases lead to suicide or severe depression cases.
Signs of Postpartum Depression-
- Lost appetite, interest in doing things, etc.
- Not able to focus on things
- Crying’s
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Heavy mood swings
- Trouble in sleeping
7 Ways How can Husbands Help Mommas to Fight Postpartum Depression?-
Husbands are the go-to person for every wife & specially who’s just been a momma now. Certainly, whether it’s about supporting her back pain or listening to her when she is breastfeeding- each little way you boost her matters a lot. However, it’s a fact that Indian husbands are mostly unaware of what postpartum depression means & unknowingly lift up the stress issues of their wives. So, now that you have got the crispness about your role, here are the ways that as a husband you can help your wife to fight postpartum depression-
- Turn yourself to be the night caregiver
The first & foremost thing to accomplish to be a caring husband is to help them out with their sleep schedules. Primarily, a child is cranky & sleepless at night which makes the mom get worried. In most cases, it becomes the momma’s duty to get up & make the child sleep which you can do too.
- Help her get the morning sleep
If you can’t make it to help your wife with the child at night, then let her enjoy the morning sleep. Certainly, your wife has slept late in the night so till the time she & the baby wakes up, you can tap your toes lightly & end up her morning routine. So, that she wakes up to a less messed up home.
- Adjust your professional schedule
If you are for a time now responsible to take up the finances alone, then it might be difficult for you to cope with your schedules. However, taking out a few days off or adjusting to working modes can really help her. But for the actual scenario, you have to become a responsible husband at that time not become a second child creating a mess for her.
- Get her some time alone
Your wife must have been craving “Me Time” for sure. Allow her to embrace her motherhood & enjoy a little time for herself by you taking up her duties for a while. For instance, book her a body massage session, a nice hair spa/haircut sitting, or get her on long drives. Thus, these are ways she can relax & feel at peace.
- Feed her & take care of her diet
A mother is solely not sleep-deprived but also running down on food. Also, her only concern is to feed the little life & in that she forgets her own nutrition. Thus, taking care of her meals, feeding her with your hands, and even texting her for her timely intake makes her feel loved.
- Tell her that she is doing a great job
Whether it is bathing the baby or breastfeeding the new life- everything feels insufficient in motherhood. Your wife as a mother will feel that she isn’t doing enough or is mistaken in ways at giving her child the best. Hence, make her feel strengthened that she is doing great at her job.
- Make her feel worthy of all the love
Sending cute texts on Whatsapp, leaving her a love-filled handwritten note, or ordering her favorite cuisine- these all can make her feel special. Thus, love her with all your heart as all she needs is you! Remember your support & love can make her win the battles effortlessly.
To The Bottom Line-
Certainly, a wife seeks her husband’s attention in an unsaid way. She might be irritated at you but that’s natural for her to experience after battling a whole scuffle of 9 months & the draining time of childbirth. Love her the way you have been pouring onto her so that she feels secure & experiences the warmth. In addition, taking care of yourself is important too.
Happy Fatherhood!
