"How Do I Know If This Is Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?"

This is one of the most common questions I hear in my work with new moms. Many clients come into sessions saying some version of, “I don’t know if what I’m feeling is normal, or if something is wrong.” If you’ve been wondering this quietly, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong by asking.

What This Question Is Really About

When someone asks this, what they’re often really asking is:

There’s often fear underneath this question—fear of being labeled, fear of overreacting, or fear of not being taken seriously.

What’s Actually Happening in the Body and Brain

The baby blues are incredibly common and typically show up in the first few days after birth. They’re largely driven by rapid hormonal shifts and often include tearfulness, mood swings, and feeling emotionally raw. For most people, these feelings begin to ease within about two weeks.

Postpartum depression, on the other hand, tends to last longer and feel heavier. It may include ongoing sadness, numbness, irritability, hopelessness, or a sense of disconnection—from yourself, your baby, or the world around you. Sleep and appetite can be affected, and even small tasks may start to feel overwhelming.

What’s important to know is that both experiences are rooted in very real physiological, emotional, and environmental changes. Neither is a personal failure.

What This Is Not

This is not about:

Postpartum depression is not caused by doing motherhood wrong. And experiencing baby blues doesn’t mean you’re weak or unprepared—it means your body and nervous system are adjusting to a massive transition.

A Gentle Reframe

Instead of trying to diagnose yourself, it can be more helpful to ask:
 Are my symptoms improving, staying the same, or getting harder to carry?

If your emotional state feels persistent, worsening, or is interfering with daily functioning or connection, that’s a sign your system may need support—regardless of what label fits.

One Small Takeaway

You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out for help. If something doesn’t feel right, that alone is reason enough to talk to someone. Early support can make a meaningful difference.

Invitation

If you’re asking this question, it means you’re paying attention to yourself—and that matters. Whether it’s baby blues, postpartum depression, or something in between, you deserve care, understanding, and support during this season. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.