We hear a lot about our bodies “bouncing back” after baby. But changing hormones, disrupted sleep, and a whole new little person depending on you can affect your mental health just as much as your physical recovery.
In this guide, we’ll talk about how to prioritize your mental health as a new mom and when to reach out for extra support.
What is Maternal Mental Health?
Maternal mental health refers to a mom’s emotional and psychological well-being during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. It encompasses the full range of emotions and moods a new mom may be experiencing and how you're coping day to day.
What the Numbers Say (and Why You’re Not Alone)
You might feel like you’re the only one struggling, but the numbers tell a different story.
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About 1 in 5 moms experience a significant mental health condition like postpartum depression or anxiety.
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Many moms never get diagnosed or treated, often because they feel ashamed, brushed off, or they’re just not sure what “normal” postpartum mood swings look like.
Normal Emotional Ups and Downs vs. “This Feels Like Too Much”
Remember that emotional ups and downs after giving birth are totally normal and expected. These shifts show up differently in every new mom, but can often look like:
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Crying more easily
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Feeling overwhelmed or extra sensitive
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Being tired and touched out
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Worrying about your baby’s health or sleep
These feelings often come and go. But your mental health matters just as much as your baby’s and your physical health, and it’s important to check in with your healthcare team if you notice any of the following patterns:
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Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
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Intense anxiety or racing thoughts
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Feeling disconnected from your baby
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Feeling like a “bad mom” most of the time
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Intrusive thoughts that scare you (about yourself or your baby)
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Trouble sleeping even when your baby sleeps
Sleep and Maternal Mental Health
There’s tired, and then there’s new‑mom tired. Getting broken sleep, tracking ounces at 2 am, and waking up to every little sound—it’s a lot.
Sleep and mental health are deeply connected. Give yourself permission to:
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Nap instead of doing chores when the baby is sleeping
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Go to bed earlier at night
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Trade shifts with a partner or support person when possible (even one longer stretch of sleep can help)
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Mention to your provider if you’re not able to sleep even when the baby is sleeping, as this can be a sign that your mental health needs more support
Simple Ways to Care for Your Mental Health as a New Mom
You don’t have to "have it all together” to be a good mom, but you always deserve support. Caring for your mental health as a new mom can be as simple as tiny check‑ins with yourself, small windows of rest, and letting others help. These ideas aren’t a to‑do list; they are options you can reach for when you’re ready.
1. Allow yourself to feel
It’s okay to express when you're feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. Give yourself permission to feel the full range of emotions that come with being a new mom.
2. Lower the bar (on purpose)
Pick one or two priorities for the day and let the rest be “bonus.”
2. Ask for help with specific tasks
Most people want to help; they just need a little direction on how to support a new mom. When someone asks if you need anything, try:
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“Could you take over a nighttime feed so I can get some uninterrupted sleep?”
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“Could you hold the baby while I shower?”
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“Can you bring a meal one night next week?”
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“Can you fold this basket of laundry while we chat?”
3. Protect tiny moments for yourself
Even five minutes of self-care can make a difference:
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Drink a cup of tea or a glass of water without scrolling
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Stand in the sun by a window
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Take three deep breaths before you pick up your phone
4. Talk to someone who “gets it”
That might be:
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A parent or other relative
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Another mom friend
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A support group (online or in person)
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A therapist or counselor who knows perinatal mental health
Resources That Can Help
When we talk openly about maternal mental health, we help take the shame out of moms reaching out for support. Some resources that can make getting help easier:
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (US)
If you’re in the United States, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7.
Awareness Months, Weeks, and Days
You might also see lots of posts about mental health in your social media feeds in May, and that’s a good thing! By putting maternal mental health front and center, these special days help to reduce the isolation and stigma that many moms feel.
Here are some key maternal mental health awareness days and campaigns happening this month:
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May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
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Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is May 4th to May 10th every year
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World Maternal Mental Health Day is observed on May 6th
More Maternal Mental Health Resources
These organizations regularly share up‑to‑date information on maternal mental health and ways to access support:
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Postpartum Support International (PSI) – support groups, provider directory, helpline
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CDC – Depression Resources
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National Institute of Mental Health – Moms’ Mental Health Matters
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March of Dimes – Taking Care of Your Postnatal Mental Health
Lansinoh Customer Care
Taking care of yourself and a new baby is hard. If you have product questions, are looking for recommendations, or you just need a little extra reassurance that you’re doing it right, our Customer Care Team is here for you at every step.
You Deserve Care, Too
There’s pressure on new moms to “bounce back,” be grateful, and love every second. But real life with a new baby has a lot more ups and downs than TV portrays. You can love your baby and still miss your old self. You can be grateful and still feel exhausted and lonely.
Reaching out for help, saying how you’re really doing, and using the available resources for new moms aren’t signs you’re failing. They’re what it looks like to take care of yourself so you can keep showing up for your baby.
You’ve got this, mama
