Perinatal and Infant Mental Health – what to expect after birth and when (and how) to reach out for help.

Young mother, holding her baby, hugging him at home, sunny living room

By Eleanor Boyd – Paediatric Nurse with 30 years’ experience working with infants, children and families in mental health. 

 

“Becoming a parent is both a joyful and overwhelming experience. The early days are filled with moments of wonder, but also stress and uncertainty. It’s important to remember that seeking support, taking breaks, and prioritising self-care are key to navigating this new journey.*” 

 

Adjusting to parenthood is a huge transition that comes with lots of firsts, and although it can be a wonderful time, becoming a parent is a transformative period which encompasses a rich and complex journey. It can bring joy, love and excitement, but for many new parents it can also be unpredictable and overwhelming, bringing doubt, fear, guilt, shame and many other emotions you may have not experienced before.  

Often these feelings are all normal, however when they start to dominate your life it is time to reach out and seek help. We know the sooner you do this, the better the long-term impact will be on you and your child.  

The first thing to remember is if you, or your child, is struggling, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you. Currently 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 7 fathers are reporting experiencing negative perinatal mental health conditions, and more research is indicating an increase in mental health incidences in children from 0-12 months of age. 

 

Perinatal and Infant Mental Health – what are the signs there might be a problem? 

It can be normal to feel overwhelmed as a new parent, and sometimes it can be confusing and hard to figure out if how you are feeling is okay or something more. Here are some signs that it might be a good time to chat with your health professional partner, and extended family support network: 

  • Persistent low mood or feeling sad often throughout the day. If you or your partner feel sad or down and cannot seem to shake it off it may be a sign of perinatal depression.  This can be different from the “baby blues” which usually go away after a few weeks.
  • Intense worry or feeling unusually anxious. As a new parent having a certain amount of anxiety can be normal, but if you are constantly feeling anxious or afraid, (e.g. about the safety of your baby, or your capacity to be a good parent) this may be a sign of perinatal anxiety. 
  • Feelings of not bonding with your baby. Many parents do not feel an instant connection with their baby, but if you are finding it hard to feel close, warm, or interested in your baby over time it is worth talking to someone about it. 
  • Sleep troubles or changes in your appetite. If these persist well beyond the normal struggles with adjusting and begin impacting on your energy and mood it may be a sign to get more support. 
  • Irritability and mood swings, feeling angry, frustrated, or snapping more than usual. This may be a signal to speak to your health professional as these symptoms can bring feelings of guilt and regret. 
  • Intrusive negative thoughts. These can be common during the perinatal period but can be frightening and unexpected as a new parent. 

 

Where can you reach out for help if you are struggling with Perinatal and Infant Mental Health? 

There are some great perinatal resources and programs available throughout Australia for both prenatal and postpartum support. They guide parents through the emotional journey, offering coping and bonding strategies to stay connected to their own wellbeing during challenging times. You can also join local parenting support groups through your community and child health nurse which provide a supportive environment to share experiences and ideas. 

Ngala’s Perinatal and Infant Mental Health services: 

  • Free Parenting Line – for any challenges facing parents. Talk to a professional 7 days a week between 8am-8pm. 9386 9386. 

Other resources: 

 
*Kirk, A. & Grant, J. (2019). Parenting Stress and Resilience: Navigating the Newborn Stage. Infant Mental Health Journal, 40(5), 634-642. 

If you still have questions, contact our Parenting Line
Young mother, holding her baby, hugging him at home, sunny living room