Battling the Dreaded Baby Blues and 5 EASY things that help

Battling the Dreaded Baby Blues and 5 EASY things that help (and 5 Easy Things That Actually Help)

Battling the Dreaded Baby Blues and 5 EASY things that help! We’re getting all sorts of real here today. So if you don’t like real life, move on to the next post. Battling the baby blues is not so much fun, and my experience may be different from yours.

This is not intended to treat any illness or offer medical advice in any way. It’s just my experience and things that have helped me to feel better when dealing with the baby blues or post-partum depression.

 

 

Battling the Dreaded Baby Blues and 5 EASY things that help

I don’t think most moms want to admit that they feel a little sad after they have their baby. I mean, what’s there to be sad about? You have a beautiful new little piece of heaven, and to say that you’re sad almost feels like you’re saying you aren’t happy about having that sweet little babe.

At least, that’s how I feel about it. I love my kids more than myself about a thousand times over, and I know that they are the biggest source of my joy, but lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and a little blue.

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always make it into the cute newborn photos, the baby shower games, or the Instagram highlight reels: the baby blues.

Because while the world loves to talk about the adorable parts of having a new baby—the tiny socks, the sleepy snuggles, the sweet baby smell—there’s another side of the postpartum experience that many moms quietly face.

The emotional rollercoaster.

The sudden waves of tears.

The exhaustion.

The overwhelming feeling of “What just happened to my life?”

And if you’ve ever experienced the baby blues, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

One minute you’re staring at your baby thinking they are the most perfect human ever created…

…and the next minute you’re crying because you ran out of snacks.

Or because the baby sneezed.

Or because the laundry pile is suddenly taller than the baby.

Welcome to postpartum hormones, friends.

And guess what?

You are absolutely not alone.

The baby blues are incredibly common during the first days or weeks after giving birth, thanks to massive hormone shifts, sleep deprivation, and the enormous life adjustment of becoming a parent.

In fact, many new mothers experience mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed during this time.

But here’s the good news.

For most moms, the baby blues are temporary.

They’re a phase.

And there are simple things that can help make those early postpartum days a little easier.

Today we’re talking about:

• what the baby blues actually are
• why they happen
• how to recognize them
• five simple things that can help you feel better

And along the way, we’re keeping it real—because motherhood isn’t about pretending everything is perfect.

It’s about supporting each other through the messy, beautiful, emotional parts too.

So grab your coffee (or your reheated coffee… because let’s be honest, that’s more realistic).

Let’s talk about battling the baby blues.

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What Are the Baby Blues?

The baby blues are a temporary emotional shift that many women experience after childbirth.

They usually show up within the first few days postpartum and can include:

• mood swings
• crying easily
• irritability
• feeling overwhelmed
• anxiety
• difficulty sleeping

And the confusing part?

These feelings can show up even when everything is going well.

You can adore your baby.

You can feel grateful.

You can be surrounded by love.

And still feel emotional.

That’s because your body just went through one of the biggest physical and hormonal events of your life.

Hormones that supported pregnancy drop rapidly after birth, which can affect mood and emotions dramatically.

Add in sleep deprivation and recovery from childbirth, and it’s no wonder emotions can feel all over the place.

Lou Lou Girls reader moment:

Did anyone warn you about postpartum emotions before your baby arrived?

Or did it feel like a surprise plot twist?

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Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

Before we go further, it’s important to mention something.

The baby blues are not the same thing as postpartum depression.

Baby blues:

• usually appear a few days after birth
• improve within about two weeks
• are mild to moderate mood changes

Postpartum depression is more severe and lasts longer.

If feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness continue beyond a few weeks, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider.

And here’s something every mom should hear:

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure.

Always.

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Why the Baby Blues Happen

Let’s break it down.

There are several reasons the baby blues happen.

Hormone Changes

After childbirth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically.

That hormonal shift can impact mood and emotional stability.

Sleep Deprivation

Newborns don’t exactly come with sleep schedules.

And lack of sleep can affect emotional resilience and mental health.

Physical Recovery

Your body is healing from pregnancy and childbirth.

That alone is a huge adjustment.

Life Changes

Your identity shifts overnight.

You’re responsible for a tiny human.

Your routine, sleep schedule, and priorities all change.

That’s a lot to process.

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5 Easy Things That Can Help With the Baby Blues

Now let’s talk about the practical side.

Because while the baby blues can feel overwhelming, there are simple things that really can help.

This is totally NOT me. I would consider myself to be a pretty positive person most of the time, so I hate to admit it, but I definitely have the baby blues.
I don’t feel like I want to harm anyone, but I just find myself getting angry about things that I used to be able to handle. I cry over stupid things. I have anxiety about stupid things.

There are days when I feel like I don’t want to do anything but I feel totally overwhelmed because there’s SO much to do. The struggle is real peeps!
The main thing that stresses me out is a dirty house. I don’t feel good if my house is in shambles. It’s just the truth…

So, when do I find the time to clean the house? My kids need to eat 3 times a day. They need clean clothes. The baby needs to eat 8-12 times a day. She also needs to be snuggled and loved, soothed, and comforted. There’s also this thing called showering; which I’m quite fond of. There’s homework, dance lessons, scouts, piano lessons, Lego Club, HOA meetings, blogging, and my church calling.

My husband thinks we should cut some things out, and he’s probably right. I can’t do it though.

I know most of you are probably thinking, “Just enjoy it, it doesn’t last long.” I am also totally aware of that. In fact, I cried on all of my kid’s birthdays this year, realizing that they are growing way too fast, and it breaks my heart.

 

I love being a mommy. It’s totally rewarding for me, and because I don’t want to wish my life away,  I wrote down 5 things that make me feel better, and help me to relax a little.
I hope these help you too if you’re struggling. I also want to say that, if you are having a hard time and it’s more than you can handle, don’t be ashamed to talk to a doctor. Post-partum depression is real, and your doctor would love to help you.
Okay, here are 5 EASY things that make me feel better when I’m feeling lousy.

• Open all the blinds and let in the light. Sometimes it’s tempting to stay in bed all day, but that’s just going to make me feel worse. Opening the windows makes me feel ready to conquer the day. If it’s not freezing outside, I also crack the window to let in some fresh air.
• Light a candle. Smells have the power to perk me up, and even if it’s not too clean in my house, it will smell wonderful; which always makes me feel a little better. I especially like fruity scents!
• Take a bath. I bet some of you are laughing thinking, “How do I do that with a screaming baby?” And that’s exactly what I do. I fill the tub up and then get in with my baby. She is soothed by the sound and feel of the water, and I can hold her, face-up, on my chest and watch her kick her legs. I just make sure I have towels, a diaper, and clothes ready to go before I get in. My other kids can be bribed with a movie, and I just turn on the baby monitor so I can hear them.
• Strap the baby on and clean the room you’re in. You don’t have to clean the entire house to feel happy. Just clean the room you spend the most time in and shut the other doors. Imagine they’re clean if you can.
• Call someone. I always feel better when I talk to my mom or sister. Even just listening to their day gets my mind off of myself. I do a little venting too, and I appreciate them being there for me.

So I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but we all have moments when we’re not feeling our best, and sometimes talking about it is all the therapy we need. Hopefully, these small and simple things help you!
What did you do when you were feeling in the dumps? Please share your tips! Us moms got to stick together, right?!

Real Moms, Real Advice

Sometimes the best encouragement comes from other moms who have been there.

On Reddit, one mom shared that getting outside changed everything for her:

“Once I managed a short walk… my whole mindset changed.”

Another mom said simply allowing herself to cry helped release the emotional pressure.

And honestly?

That’s pretty powerful advice.

Sometimes you don’t need to fix every feeling.

Sometimes you just need to let it pass.

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Give Yourself Grace

Here’s the thing about the baby blues.

They don’t mean you’re doing motherhood wrong.

They don’t mean you’re ungrateful.

They don’t mean you’re weak.

They mean your body, mind, and life are adjusting to something huge.

Motherhood is beautiful.

But it’s also intense.

And emotional.

And sometimes messy.

And that’s okay.

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You’re Doing Better Than You Think

The baby blues can feel overwhelming in the moment, but they’re also a reminder of just how much your life has changed in a short time.

Your body is healing.

Your hormones are adjusting.

Your heart is learning how to love someone in a brand-new way.

That’s a lot for anyone to process.

The good news is that with time, rest, support, and a little self-compassion, those emotional waves begin to settle.

Slowly but surely, the fog lifts.

Confidence grows.

And the rhythm of life with your baby starts to feel a little more natural.

If you’re in the middle of those early postpartum days right now, remember this:

You are not alone.

You are not failing.

You are simply navigating one of the biggest transitions of your life.

And you’re doing better than you think.

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💬 Lou Lou Girls community question:

What helped you during the newborn days?

Was it sleep, support, chocolate, or a good cry?

Share in the comments—your advice might be exactly what another mom needs to hear. 💕