Mar 13, 2024
We welcome back Bre Tyger, Community Alignment Specialist from Family Connects, a program new to Springfield, MO. We cover the difference between "baby blues" and postpartum depression, and how it affects both Mom and Dad. A phenomenon of ongoing sadness in the days after your bundle of joy arrives is common and normal, but in general medical experts say the "baby blues" might begin to be classified as post-partum depression if the feelings persist beyond 2-3 weeks. Dads can get some form of post-partum depression, too, in as many as 10% of new dads.
CORRECTION: After the recording concluded, Bre asked us to tell our listeners that post-partum depression occurs somewhere between 1 in 5 OR 1 in 3 new moms; that's between 20% and 33%.
Our Guest: Bre Tyger
Bre Tyger is a Registered Nurse and serves as the Community Alignment Specialist for Springfield Greene County Health Department’s Family Connects program. Family Connects is a free universal nurse home visiting program with a goal of providing support for families of newborns. Bre has worked in community and public health and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit most of her career and loves helping set families up for success. She has been married to her husband for 15 years and together they have two wonderful children.
Show Notes
- (2:21) One thing I have seen commonly (in post-partum women) is
difficulty bonding with the baby and attachment. They were so
excited to have their baby, so excited when they first had Baby and
brought them home, but suddenly they're saying, "I don't feel
connected to my baby." They're having a hard time taking care of
Baby; maybe they're having a hard time getting out of bed ... or
having a hard time getting any good sleep.
- (4:38) It can feel like your fault—or like you need to do
something to make it better—but post-partum depression is really
not your fault. And it's not something that women choose
- (9:31) It's a big load for the dad to carry. Dads can feel a
pressure of providing for their family. They have the normal
pressure of providing for their family but now you wife is
struggling, and you have this baby that you don't know what to do
with or how to care for. That can be a lot of stress for the dad to
carry. Some dads tend to take care of others before themselves, so
they can also become sleep deprived; they can also forget to eat
meals and those basic things to do to take care of themselves.
- (18:14) (Post-partum depression) can occur at any time in the year after Baby is born. That may not always be recognized.
Resources
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To be put in touch with Bre regarding the Advisory Committee with Family Connects, reach out to us at info@gooddads.com.