5 Resources For New Moms Struggling With Mental Health

Getty Images It's totally normal to struggle with your mental health after the birth of a baby. “Some of that can be physical, such as getting enough sleep and eating the right foods, but there are other pieces to mental health, like having a support system, that are really important.” It can be difficult to take time to focus on yourself, but doing so will only help you be a better parent, said Crystal Clark, president of the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health of North America and associate professor of psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “If a mother is having mental health issues, this can affect their bond with their baby and have long-lasting effects on the baby’s ability to self-soothe and their overall temperament.” Here are some postpartum resources to help you find relief from difficult thoughts or worries, as well as tools you can use to feel more like yourself as quickly as possible: Your OB-GYN “If you’re not feeling like yourself after you’ve given birth, it’s vital to let your OB-GYN or primary care physician know,” said Sarah Kauffman, director of the maternal mental health program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California. “It can be hard to acknowledge when a woman is struggling with mood symptoms in the postpartum period, as it can be unexpected and feel shameful to discuss.” - Sarah Kauffman, director of the maternal mental health program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Whether you have a strong support system at home or not, therapy can be an essential tool for combating depression, including postpartum depression. “It’s OK to need ― and ask for ― help, especially from supportive family, friends or your partner.” - Crystal Clark, president of the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health of North America Books A number of books may help ease anxieties in new mothers, said Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.