Feeling Off After Baby? How to Tell if It's Baby Blues, PPD, or PPA

Bringing a baby into the world is beautiful—and also overwhelming. Between the sleepless nights, hormonal shifts, and huge life changes, it’s completely normal to not feel like yourself at first. But how do you know if what you’re feeling is just part of the transition, or something more serious?

Let’s break it down gently: the difference between Baby Blues, Postpartum Depression (PPD), and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA).

baby blues

Short-term mood dips caused by the hormonal whirlwind of having a baby.

• When it starts: Within a few hours to a few days after birth

• How long it lasts: Usually fades on its own within 2 weeks

• Common symptoms:

  • Mood swings

  • Irritability

  • Sadness or crying

  • Fatigue and overwhelm

• How common is it? Up to 80% of new parents experience some level of baby blues

What helps: Rest, support, nutrition, prayer, and time. This is usually a temporary adjustment period, not a mental health condition.

postpartum depression (PPD)

A more intense and longer-lasting mood disorder that needs treatment—but is temporary and treatable.

• When it starts: Any time within the first year, but most often in the first few weeks

• How long it lasts: Symptoms persist for 2 weeks or more

• Common symptoms:

  • Persistent sadness or emptiness

  • Anger or irritability

  • Guilt or feeling like a "bad mom"

  • Appetite or sleep changes

  • Loss of interest or connection

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby (this is an emergency—please seek help right away)

• Risk factors:

  • Personal or family history of depression

  • Major life stressors

  • Birth or feeding complications

• How common is it?

  • Affects 1 in 5 women

  • Affects 1 in 10 men

What helps: Therapy, medication, sleep support, connection, and compassion. You are not alone, and healing is possible.

postpartum anxiety (PPA)

Not just “worrying a lot”—PPA is marked by persistent fear, racing thoughts, and physical symptoms that interfere with daily life.

• When it starts: Often within the first few weeks, but can appear anytime in the first year

• How long it lasts: 2 weeks or more of ongoing symptoms

• Common symptoms:

  • Constant worry

  • Fear that something bad will happen

  • Racing thoughts you can’t turn off

  • Difficulty sleeping or eating

  • Physical symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or a racing heart

• Risk factors:

  • Personal or family history of anxiety

  • Previous perinatal mood disorders

  • Thyroid imbalance

• How common is it? Affects approximately 20% of new parents

What helps: Therapy, lifestyle changes, support from a partner or night nurse, grounding techniques, and often medical guidance.

If You’re Struggling—You Are Not Alone

Please don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your OB, midwife, or primary care provider. Confide in a trusted friend. And know there are amazing organizations like Postpartum Support International (PSI) here to walk with you:

📞 Call or Text: 800-944-4773
🌐 Visit: Postpartum.net

There is help. There is healing. And there is hope.

For more tips, explore our other blogs or follow us on Instagram at @choosejoynursing.