postpartum blues

noun

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a feeling of sadness that is experienced by a woman shortly after giving birth, that is typically accompanied by other symptoms (such as mood swings, crying spells, irritability, or insomnia), and that usually lasts less than two weeks : baby blues sense 3

Up to 70% of women who've given birth experience postpartum blues. The blues can begin several hours after giving birth and last up to two weeks.

—Polly Drew

compare postpartum depression

Examples of postpartum blues in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Regaining core strength is key The postpartum bounceback can be hard for athletes -- and anyone for that matter -- for a multitude of reasons: increased metabolic demands with breastfeeding, sleep deprivation and postpartum blues or depression. —Sejal Parekh, ABC News, 31 July 2024

Many women suffer from postpartum mental health conditions, including postpartum blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis, a rare postpartum condition that often resembles a bipolar manic or mixed episode. —Cara McNulty, Fortune, 12 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

postpartum blues

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a feeling of sadness that is experienced by a woman shortly after giving birth, that is typically accompanied by other symptoms (such as mood swings, crying spells, irritability, or insomnia), and that usually lasts less than two weeks : baby blues

Postpartum blues, also known as the baby blues, affects roughly 75% of new mothers. It most often peaks on days 4-6 postpartum.

—Bruce Jancin, Frontline Medical News

compare postpartum depression