Is it Baby Blues or Postpartum depression/anxiety?

You cried during a diaper commercial. Then cried again because you cried during a diaper commercial. Is this normal? Is this something more?

If you're asking, that's already a good sign — it means you're paying attention to yourself in a season that asks you to pay attention to everyone else.

Baby Blues

Up to 80% of moms experience this after delivery (whether it’s your first or not!). Hormones drop off a cliff, sleep is fractured, your body is healing, identity is shifting. This is physiology, not a personal failing.

The baby blues generally look like tearfulness, mood swings, feeling overwhelmed, or trouble sleeping. It shows up in the first few days, peaks around day 4 or 5, and resolves on its own within two weeks. You still have moments of joy in there. You're not stuck.

When It's Something More

PPD and PPA don't follow that timeline, and they don't resolve on their own. Most people expect PPD and PPA to occur within the first 12 weeks (the “fourth trimester”), but really, they can show up anytime in the first year. Common triggers include transitions like going back to work, significant sleep regressions, or weaning from breastfeeding.

What to watch for:

Sadness or numbness that lingers past two weeks

Loss of interest in things (including the baby)

Guilt or feeling like a "bad mother”

Racing thoughts

Thoughts focused on things that are unlikely to happen

Physical symptoms, like a racing heart

The line isn't just what you feel: it's how long it lasts and whether it's getting in the way of eating, sleeping, bonding, or doing your usual routine.

Many moms with PPA also experience upsetting thoughts, or “intrusive thoughts”, that can leave them with significant feelings of shame and guilt. These thoughts are not a reflection of who you are as a mother, but are a sign you could use support.

If You're Not Sure

You don't have to diagnose yourself. Just say it out loud: to your OB, midwife, therapist, your partner, or someone you trust.

If you're in that in-between and want to talk it through, I'd be glad to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation.