The Baby Blues:

Having a baby is a very exciting time for most expecting moms but after the baby is born, some women will start to have mood swings, feel sad, alone, afraid and unloved. You could have a loss of appetite or have difficulty sleeping.

If you are a new mom and have any of these symptoms, you have what we call the baby blues. These symtoms start 3-5 days after delivery and can last up to two weeks.

The good news: It's a normal part of being a new mom. The symptoms go away on their own. They are mild and do not interfere with caring for your baby.

If you feel your symptoms are worse and last longer then two weeks, then you could have postpartum depression.

Postpartum could occur a day or so after having the baby or several weeks to months later. Each woman is different. Postpartum is a form of depression that can be treated with therapy, support groups and anti-depressants.

Some symptoms of postpartum depression:

Inability to be social or have fun

Trouble sleeping

Feelings of inadequacy to be a parent

Guilt

Increased crying

Feelings of worthlessness

Feeling irritable and anxious

Thoughts of hurting yourself or hurting the baby

The exact cause of postpartum is unknown. We do know that postpartum is more likely if you have:

A difficult marriage

Little or no support

Financial worries

Previous depression

What to do? Get help immediately. Seek professional counseling.

Ask for help- form a support system of family and friends who can help with the baby and household chores.

Journal - write down your feelings

Don't try to be "Supermom". Be honest with yourself, you can't do everything.

Make time for yourself- even if it's 10-15 minutes a day. Those 15 minutes can make a big difference in your day.

Take care of yourself - make sure you eat, sleep and exercise properly.