2.2 BABIES 36 Have you ever babysat a newborn baby? Was it an easy task? About 10% of women suffer from PPD (post-partum or postnatal depression). It can also affect fathers and partners. THE FIRST MONTHS AFTER BIRTH The fourth trimester The transitional period of the first few months after birth when babies, who have just spent nine months in the womb, need to adapt and get used to all the new noises, smells, and voices of the world, can also be called fourth trimester. It is also a transitional period for the parents who, especially in the case of a first child, need to learn how to look after all the necessities of the baby and start parenting. Baby blues: after birth, for a couple of weeks, the mother may feel down, tearful, or anxious due to a change in hormone levels. concern: preoccupazione distress: sofferenza 84 BABIES AND CHILDREN Fatigue and lack of sleep due to frequent feeding or an unstable sleep routine. The challenges Here are a few difficulties that the new family may have to respond to. Mother s physical and emotional recovery: new mothers will have to deal with lochia (a discharge of blood and tissue after birth), cramping, and other possible physical issues caused by delivery (e.g. haemorroids, stitches, sore or cracked nipples, etc.) as well as manage a mixture of emotions like happiness and anxiety, joy and worry. Swaddling withdrawing from contact with other people; problems concentrating and making decisions; frightening thoughts for example, about hurting her baby. Postnatal depression : when some of the following symptoms last longer than a few weeks or start later (up to the baby s first year of age), mothers may suffer from postnatal depression: a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood; lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world; lack of energy and feeling tired all the time; trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day; finding it difficult to look after herself and her baby; Feeding concerns related to breast- or bottle-feeding. Difficulty in understanding the baby s needs and communication through crying. The establishment of a new daily and life routine. Adjustments brought about by the new role and responsibilities of being a parent. Some help Besides the help the new family can get from other family members and/or friends, there are services provided by the territory which may help with common concerns, offering solutions and guidance. Postnatal depression counselling can give support regarding the most practical problems such as feeding and sleeping routines, physical issues caused by delivery and breastfeeding, and even distress caused by stress, tiredness, and feelings of inadequacy.