It is perfectly natural to feel emotionally sensitive after childbirth. Up to 50–80% of people who have given birth experience heightened emotionally sensitivity.
You may, for example, feel tearful, anxious, unable to sleep, restless or insecure.
Heightened emotionally sensitivity is caused, at least in part, by hormones. These feelings usually pass as the family settle into their daily life with the new baby.
Managing your mood after childbirth
Take care of yourself after giving birth. Maintaining your own wellbeing will also benefit your baby and the whole family.
- Take meaningful breaks every day both from caring for your baby and your home. Even a small break from your everyday routines will help you manage better.
- If there are two adults in the family, take turns caring for the baby. Taking turns will also help the other parent build a close relationship with the baby as early as possible.
- Talk about your feelings and thoughts with your partner, with other family members and friends.
- Seek peer support: acquaintances who have babies, baby events at playgrounds or family cafés can provide a channel for sharing your feelings and everyday challenges with people who understand them well.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help and support from your loved ones.
At the maternity and child health clinic, we monitor your and your family's mood and wellbeing. If you feel any changes in your mood after giving birth, talk to the public health nurse at the maternity and child health clinic.
Meet other families with babies
Postpartum depression
An estimated 10–20% of all people who give birth will suffer from postpartum depression. For most new parents, this depression comes as a complete surprise.
You have reason to suspect depression if, for example, you are constantly feeling low, tired or tearful, have problems with memory or concentration, experience recurring feelings of guilt or inferiority, and are feeling anguished, fearful or anxious. Insomnia or excessive sleeping and thoughts about death can also be signs of depression.
Seek help for your postpartum depression as soon as possible. Bring it up during your appointment at the maternity and child health clinic or make an appointment with a doctor. Postpartum depression is treated the same way as any other kind of depression.
We also help parents with therapeutic work for families with infants, which you can reach by contacting the unit for social counselling for families with children.
Find out more about therapeutic work for families with infants
Activities for families with babies
You can meet other families with babies at our playgrounds, family centres or library events.
