Did you know that men/non birthing parents can get postnatal depression?
Becoming a parenting is hard, exhausting and a shock to the system, for fathers they have the pressure that they have to be strong and that mental health issues are a sign of weakness. Suicide is the biggest killer for men under 45. We need to talk about men’s mental health too.
Why parents might feel depressed after having a baby:
- Miss their pre baby life
- It’s a big lifestyle change
- Struggle with the routine
- No spontaneity
- No time for themselves
- Financial pressure
- Stress on the relationship
- Less time for each other
- Tired/ sleepless nights
- Extra responsibility
- Everything revolves around the baby
- Loss of their identity
- Seeing their partner have a traumatic birth
Signs of postnatal depression:
- Anger/Aggression
- Hopelessness/sad
- Hard to make decisions
- Lack of interest in things
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Numbness
- Trouble sleeping
- Exhaustion
- Not coping and feeling guilty for not coping
- Lack of sex drive/ intimacy
- Struggling to bond with the baby
- Anxiety/worrying
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self harming thoughts
What to do if you or your partner has postnatal depression:
- Contact a doctor, they can recommend medication and/or therapy/counselling
- Speak to a charity like: MIND, PANDAS, Mind Matters
- Speak to family and friends
- Practise mindfulness (breathing techniques, relaxations, journaling)
- Make time for themselves
- Do activities than don’t involve being a parent
- Exercise
- Eat healthy
How to help bonding with your baby:
- Skin to skin
- Co-bathing
- Baby wearing
- Massage
- Reading/singing
- Playing
