The frequent night feedings. The fussing that seemingly cant be soothed. The rearranging of your days to tend to the constant needs of a brand new baby. It can all catch up to any new parent.

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While we typically associate the baby blues and postpartum depression with women, new fathers can experience serious mood changes after bringing baby home, too.

In fact, paternal postnatal depression is wildly common, says psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD. About 10% of fathers become depressed before or just after their baby is born, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Postpartum blues are especially common three to six months after the birth, with as many as one in four dads experiencing symptoms.

The reason is partly biological, Dr. Bea says. Everyone knows that mothers hormones change a lot during and after pregnancy. But theres evidence that fathers also experience real changes in their hormone levels after a baby is born, he explains.

And plenty of non-hormonal factors are at play, too:

Symptoms of depression can look different in men and women. Some of the more common signs in men include:

Men who have a history of depression might be at greaterrisk of postpartum depression. So are new fathers whose partners also havepostpartum symptoms.

Unfortunately, many men laugh off the idea of paternalpostpartum depression. And even if they accept its the real deal, they might notadmit its affecting them.

But theres nothingshameful about postpartum depression, Dr. Bea stresses. Fatherhood is a hugenew job, with long hours and no pay, and society doesnt do a good enough jobsupporting men in this role.

To maintain a positive mood when youre in the thick of newfatherhood, Dr. Bea recommends focusing on the self-care basics:

Adjusting to a new baby takes time. Its normal for yourmood to be a little rocky in the process. But if your symptoms last more than twoto three weeks, consider help from a counselor or psychotherapist.

Asking for helpdoesnt mean youre helpless, Dr. Bea points out. It means youre doing whatyou need to do so you can be the best partner and best dad you can be.

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Yes, Postpartum Depression in Men Is Very Real - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

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