Baby Blues: What Are They and How Long Do They Last

Most new moms must have been through that moment when the tiredness and exhaustion subside, the joy of bringing the baby home—yes, the moment when you’re expected to feel nothing but joy.

This emotional rollercoaster that hits new mothers in the days after childbirth is often called the baby blues. Well, that’s not synonymous with postpartum depression. However, it’s also far from feeling like your usual self.

In fact, baby blues is one of the most common postpartum experiences, and up to 80 percent of new mothers experience it.

Fortunately, this phase doesn’t last forever.

Read below this article to explore what baby blues are, why they happen, and how long they actually last.

Baby blues are a mild and very common emotional rollercoaster that many women experience shortly after childbirth. It’s your mind and body adjusting to one of the biggest changes of your life — physically, emotionally, and hormonally.

Doctors say around 70 to 80 percent of new mothers experience baby blues. The symptoms usually include:

The shift from pregnancy to postpartum is massive. Once the baby is born, hormones like estrogen and progesterone — which were sky-high during pregnancy — drop dramatically. This hormonal crash can shake up your emotional balance.

Combine this with physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and the mental pressure of caring for a tiny new life, and it’s no surprise that emotions start to overflow.

Baby blues don’t last forever. In most cases, the emotional fog lifts on its own. Symptoms typically show up within 2 to 3 days after birth and last for about two weeks.

If you notice your low mood stretching beyond two weeks, or if the feelings become severe enough to affect your daily life, it’s important to check in with your doctor. Sometimes, lingering sadness can signal postpartum depression, which is different from baby blues and deserves professional support.

Here are some simple and effective ways to care for your emotional health:

The truth is, motherhood doesn’t always start with fairy-tale feelings. Sometimes, it begins with tears, exhaustion, and a heart that feels out of sync. That’s the baby blues talking — not the real you.