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by Tammy Taylor
Family Support Council
Question: I just had a baby four weeks ago. I am exhausted and depressed. It's all I can do to change the baby's diaper and feed her.
My girlfriend says I should see a doctor, but I think it will pass.
Is it normal to feel this way after just giving birth?
Response: Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed is normal, but if this leads to a feeling of depression or apathy that lasts longer than a week then it can be cause for concern.
With the new science and technology we now know for certain that an infant's early experiences have a profound impact on the way their brain develops.
Proper stimulation is key to opening pathways and laying a healthy foundation for every aspect of brain functioning.
For example, in the first days of life a newborn baby will instinctually engage in something called "the gaze."
The baby will stare intently at their caregiver when cradled in the arms six to eight inches from the face.
It is simply a caregiver's job to gaze back, smile and coo.
As the newborn becomes an infant they begin to smile and gurgle in order to gain the caregivers attention.
This is the baby's language of survival and imperative for healthy brain development.
When a mother is suffering from postpartum depression or "the baby-blues" for longer than a few days it is likely that she will not be tuned into the child's subtle but all too important cues.
If she is too apathetic to respond appropriately then the baby is not stimulated in a way that allows brain development to follow a normal course.
In fact, a lack of response can cause distress in the baby and lead to a different kind of brain connection to take place.
Your friend would be right. Please talk to your doctor about your lack of excitement regarding the birth of your baby and feelings of depression.
There is help for this situation. Don't be afraid to get help.
Not only will you feel better, but your baby will benefit in the long run as well.
-- Tammy Taylor is a parent educator at Family Support Council and the Assistant Coordinator of the P.A.C.T (Parents And Children Together) program. If you have questions or suggestions for the monthly Parents' Corner feature, please contact Tammy Taylor by e-mailing her at ttaylor@family-support.org.
Family Support Council
Question: I just had a baby four weeks ago. I am exhausted and depressed. It's all I can do to change the baby's diaper and feed her.
My girlfriend says I should see a doctor, but I think it will pass.
Is it normal to feel this way after just giving birth?
Response: Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed is normal, but if this leads to a feeling of depression or apathy that lasts longer than a week then it can be cause for concern.
With the new science and technology we now know for certain that an infant's early experiences have a profound impact on the way their brain develops.
Proper stimulation is key to opening pathways and laying a healthy foundation for every aspect of brain functioning.
For example, in the first days of life a newborn baby will instinctually engage in something called "the gaze."
The baby will stare intently at their caregiver when cradled in the arms six to eight inches from the face.
It is simply a caregiver's job to gaze back, smile and coo.
As the newborn becomes an infant they begin to smile and gurgle in order to gain the caregivers attention.
This is the baby's language of survival and imperative for healthy brain development.
When a mother is suffering from postpartum depression or "the baby-blues" for longer than a few days it is likely that she will not be tuned into the child's subtle but all too important cues.
If she is too apathetic to respond appropriately then the baby is not stimulated in a way that allows brain development to follow a normal course.
In fact, a lack of response can cause distress in the baby and lead to a different kind of brain connection to take place.
Your friend would be right. Please talk to your doctor about your lack of excitement regarding the birth of your baby and feelings of depression.
There is help for this situation. Don't be afraid to get help.
Not only will you feel better, but your baby will benefit in the long run as well.
-- Tammy Taylor is a parent educator at Family Support Council and the Assistant Coordinator of the P.A.C.T (Parents And Children Together) program. If you have questions or suggestions for the monthly Parents' Corner feature, please contact Tammy Taylor by e-mailing her at ttaylor@family-support.org.
