Building Awareness Around Postpartum Depression

With the birth of a baby may come powerful emotions. You may experience moments of excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.

According to Mayo Clinic, most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks.

But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. 

Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby. Talking with your doctor is an important first step. In addition, the resources below may be some to consider:

Beyond Baby Blues This Evanston based resource offers online support groups for women experiencing postpartum depression. They also offer a six week, free support group for women who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, death of a newborn, or death of an infant one year of age or younger.

Postpartum Support International A go-to online resource that offers an extensive provider directory as well as a wealth of online support groups for moms, dads, partners.

Chicagoland's Fussy Baby Network provides telephone support, home visits, parent groups, and a Fussy Baby Clinic for families with questions about crying, sleeping or feeding during the first 12 months of their baby’s life, 1 888-431-BABY.

NorthShore MOMS Line an incredibly responsive team through Northshore Hospital dedicated to supporting those experiencing perinatal depression. You don’t have to be a patient there to get help.

Northwestern Medicine COMPASS offers patients at Northwestern University Medical Center a collaborative care team which includes your pregnancy care team and mental health care team. Supports last from pregnancy to one year after your baby is born.

Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class

Did you know that the most important interactions you have with a child can happen through play?

By engaging in playful serve and return with a child, you can 

literally help build stronger connections in the brain. 

West Side Focus

A House in Austin is located in a two-story, Victorian house in Chicago’s Austin area.  The home offers an informal space for West Side parents to meet each other, learn new skills, share experiences and learn from one another. Daytime programming is free and includes a music class, a parent chat hour, a support group for new fathers, art and reading classes for infants through 5-year-olds, meditation and yoga, even a cooking course.