Postpartum Depression Harms Babies

Postpartum depression affects 10-15% of mothers in Western societies. Mothers are often the primary caregivers and thus play a vital role in shaping their infants' social environments and experiences.

Happy mothers engage in responsive interactions with babies like talking, singing, and playing, which support brain development. Depressed mothers do not engage in these behaviors. As a result, their childrens’ cognitive development slows.

Infants/young children of mothers who experience post-partum depression have lower cognitive scores than children of those who do not. Older children of mothers who experience postpartum depression have worse behavior skills as well.

Consult Your Psychiatrist Before Stopping Medications During Pregnancy

It is crucial for mothers to NOT go off their antidepressant medications without talking to their psychiatrist first. A happy mother can help her child’s cognitive development.

Grace, S., Evindar, A. & Stewart, D. The effect of postpartum depression on child cognitive development and behavior: A review and critical analysis of the literature. Arch Womens Ment Health 6, 263–274 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-003-0024-6