Postpartum depression is actually caused by imbalances and deficiencies commonly experienced by most new mothers. Women with postpartum depression can speed their recovery with herbs and supplements, nutrition, rest and loving support.
Let’s talk about a few key foods for women dealing with postpartum depression. These mood-boosting foods provide essential nutrients that are compromised through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Our bodies pull on our nutritional reserves even more when faced with anxiety and depression, and these mood imbalances, in turn, are linked with depletion. So let’s nurture the roots of health in our bodies, prepping the ground for psychological healing.
We all know that sleep is essential. And that new parents get reduced quality & quantity of sleep. Our post-birth bodies have particularly needs that may necessitate rising more frequently in the night. Babies wake throughout the night with wet diapers or needing to be fed. A baby, after all, is not born with his own circadian rhythm. It takes time, and loving caregivers, to encourage and allow babies to develop harmonious sleep cycles. So it is critical for mamas to have healthy sleep patterns to share with their babes.
Prolonged sleep deprivation can put your health at risk. Here’s what you need to know about sleep, and how you to create the support for getting the sleep you need.
Adrenal fatigue occurs when your small but powerful adrenal glands are overworked and depleted. This usually occurs as a result of chronic stress combined with inadequate nutrition and sleep deprivation. New mothers face the demands of caring for a baby in the wake of the steep hormonal shift at childbirth and are especially susceptible to adrenal fatigue. Here are some of the best adaptogens for adrenal fatigue and depression that are safe for breastfeeding.
We recently discussed how low levels of progesterone contribute to postpartum depression. Now let’s explore natural progesterone therapy.
To begin with, natural progesterone therapy is a safe alternative for breastfeeding mothers. It is noted for enhancing mood & sex drive. Additionally, studies have shown marked benefits for both mama & baby when used prenatally. The most common method of natural progesterone therapy is bioidentical progesterone cream. Two brands I recommend are Emerita Pro-gest Cream and Natural Progesto-Life Cream.
Childbirth brings a dramatic, immediate shift in the birthing mother’s hormonal balance. Of particular note, women experience a tremendous decrease in the hormone known as progesterone. This fluctuation is thought to be a key culprit in the onset of postpartum depression.
