Having a baby changes life in profound ways. Such great changes can bring great stress. Mental health professionals can help families cope at this trying time.

Mothers may be feeling the onset of postpartum depression, which can be triggered or exacerbated when birth and breastfeeding expectations are not met. For instance, mothers may be grieving over unexpected birth outcomes, and/or separation from their baby after birth, and may also be going through disappointments and grief over breastfeeding outcomes.

This emotional time, compounded by a fussy baby, lack of sleep, lack of support, and worry about her baby, can be overwhelming.

Both consultation and medication can benefit the mother who is feeling blue. Don’t wait to get help. If you feel you just can not cope, you are not alone.

• http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/531399/main.html
• http://www.postpartum.org/index2.html
• The National Suicide Hotline, National Hopeline Network, at 1-800-784-2433
• The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453
• Dr. Thomas Hale, Breastfeeding Pharmacology
• Postpartum Depression – Baby Blues or Something More? : Identifying, Coping With, and Treating PPD