Postpartum blues, also known as baby blues and maternity blues, is a very common but self-limited condition that begins shortly after childbirth and can present with a variety of symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, and tearfulness. Mothers may experience negative mood symptoms mixed with intense periods of joy. Up to 85% of new mothers are affected by postpartum blues, with symptoms starting within a few days after childbirth and lasting up to two weeks in duration. Treatment is supportive, including ensuring adequate sleep and emotional support. If symptoms are severe enough to affect daily functioning or last longer than two weeks, the individual should be evaluated for related postpartum psychiatric conditions, such as postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. It is unclear whether the condition can be prevented, however education and reassurance are important to help alleviate patient distress. Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of postpartum blues can vary significantly from one individual to another, and from one pregnancy to the next. Many symptoms of postpartum blues overlap both with normal symptoms experienced by new parents and with postpartum depression. Individuals with postpartum blues have symptoms that are milder and less disruptive to their daily functioning compared to those with postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum blues include, but are not limited to:
Tearfulness or crying "for no reason"
Mood swings
Irritability
Anxiety
Questioning ones ability to care for the baby
Difficulty making choices
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Negative mood symptoms interspersed with positive symptoms

Onset
Symptoms of postpartum blues generally begin within a few days of childbirth and often peak by day four or five.
Duration
Postpartum blues may last a few days up to two weeks. If symptoms last more than two weeks, the individual must be evaluated for postpartum depression. Causes
The causes of postpartum blues have not been clearly established. Most hypotheses regarding the etiology of postpartum blues and postpartum depression center on the intersection of the significant biological and psychosocial changes that occur with childbirth. Psychosocial causes
Pregnancy and postpartum are significant life events that increase a womans vulnerability for postpartum blues. Even with a planned pregnancy, it is normal to have feelings of doubt or regret, and it takes time to adjust to having a newborn. Feelings commonly reported by new parents and lifestyle changes that may contribute to developing early postpartum mood symptoms include:
Fatigue after labor and delivery
Caring for a newborn that requires 24/7 attention
Sleep deprivation
Lack of support from family and friends
Marital or relationship strain
Changes in home and work routines
Financial stress
Unrealistic expectations of self
Societal or cultural pressure to "bounce back" quickly after pregnancy and childbirth
Overwhelmed and questioning ability to care for baby
Anger, loss, or guilt, especially for parents of premature or sick infants

Risk factors
Most risk factors studied have not clearly and consistently demonstrated an association with postpartum blues. These include sociodemographic factors, such as age and marital status, obstetric factors, such as delivery complications or low birth weight.Factors most consistently shown to be predictive of postpartum blues are personal and family history of depression.