by: Megan Grant, LICSW | April 20, 2026
What is PPD and How Prevalent is it?
Postpartum Depression (or PPD) is a condition that occurs during pregnancy or within the first 4 weeks after birth. It is important to note that symptoms are consistent for 2 weeks and can last several months to a year afterwards. PPD affects 1 in 5 women in some states of the US. If you would like to read more about PPD, different types, and symptoms, please read further in our previous post .
Can PPD Affect My Family?
The short answer is, yes. PPD can absolutely affect your family. Some symptoms of PPD include:
- Sadness
- Overwhelm
- Isolation
- Lack of motivation
Adding a newborn to the family naturally increases the physical, emotional, and mental workload for everyone involved. When a mother is experiencing PPD, even routine tasks can feel exhausting or unmanageable. This can shift household dynamics, causing partners to take on more responsibilities or siblings may sense changes in emotional availability.
PPD can also cause a withdrawal from family. This can lead to difficulty being fully present, which can cause feelings of disconnection or misunderstanding among loved ones. Over time, stress and emotional fatigue can be shared across the household.
How Can I Help My Child Understand?
If you are not having your first baby, there is another child to consider in the home. You have likely explained that Mommy will be different for a while after the birth of the newborn. This will of course depend upon the age of the child, but they will be aware that Mommy may feel more tired than normal or may even experience some sadness. It is okay to explain this to your child. It normalizes human emotions and feelings to them.
After you get home and you are experiencing PPD, communicate it with your child. It may be more helpful to use descriptive words like, “cranky”, “tired”, or “weepy”, instead of “depression” or “anxiety”. Open communication with your child will be most impactful and if you aren’t able to communicate in the moment (perhaps you are taking a nap), have another trusted adult or your partner communicate what is going on.
Here are a few other ways you can help your child understand:
- Reassure them that they did not cause your illness or problem, nor could they have done anything to prevent it.
- Let them know that you are getting help and you will be better soon.
- Ask them how they would like to help. Maybe they can draw a picture or write an encouraging note. If they’re older, maybe they can help out with some age-appropriate tasks.
- Overall, be truthful. Don’t tell them you are fine when you really aren’t. They need to know that different feelings are a part of being human.
How Can I Ensure PPD Doesn’t Affect My Newborn?
It is critical to have support when you have a newborn, even without PPD. However, it is even more critical to have support if you do suffer from PPD. PPD can trigger emotional, cognitive, and sometimes behavioral issues in newborns later in their lives. Newborns need secure bonding and attachment to their mothers to ensure trust and emotional regulation. If you are struggling to interact with your new baby, you can get better with treatment. Treatment through therapy, medication, and/or support groups can be incredibly helpful. It is also important to ask for help from family members and friends. Have them complete tasks for you so you can rest and rejuvenate, or get a bit of exercise.
How Can I Maintain a Healthy Relationship with My Partner?
Having a newborn in any circumstances is difficult. However, the added stress of fluctuating mood and increased stress can cause increased strain and new struggles for couples. Some issues that could arise include:
- decreased (or lack of) communication
- burden of new and increased responsibility
- decrease in sex and intimacy
- decrease in time alone together
- lack of interest in activities or motivation
- lack of interest in spending time together
- frustration around when PPD symptoms will end
All couples are different. However, it is important to have open communication with each other. Express how you are feeling with your partner. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Tell them. If you know why you are overwhelmed (maybe there are too many tasks to complete around the house in addition to caring for your newborn), communicate this to your partner and think of ways to remedy the situation together.
Educate each other. PPD is not widely talked about, so your partner (and perhaps yourself) may not know much about it. Become familiar with the different symptoms and what can be helpful. Here are some additional resources.
Here are a few ways you can ask for help:
- Ask them to be present.
- Ask for some tasks to be taken off of your to-do list, such as making a meal, doing laundry and dishes, do errands.
- Take a walk together.
- Ask for more time to sleep at night.
- Express your need for encouragement. Here are some ideas:
- If there is something I can do to help you, please tell me.
- This is temporary.
- You’re a great mom.
- You’re doing such a good job (they can provide specific examples).
- You’ll get yourself back (again, they can point out specific examples of how they see your old self returning).
When Should I Seek Treatment and What are My Options?
If you have been diagnosed with PPD, or feel you may have PPD, seek treatment with a mental health professional as soon as you are able. The great news is, you can and will recover with proper treatment. If you are unsure where to start, talk with your primary care provider or OB/GYN. They can help you develop a plan. Seek help from a mental health professional and consider medications if you feel it would be beneficial. Your providers can also help you with making this decision if you need extra support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is best practice for helping with postpartum depression and anxiety. You can find a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on psychologytoday.com or postpartum.net. Postpartum Support International also has a helpline available: 1-800-944-4773.
Support groups and Perinatal groups are also helpful. Though a group setting may sound intimidating, it can be helpful to hear experiences of others so you don’t feel isolated, and work through it together. Many are available, including at Therapy Evolved: https://therapyevolved.com/therapy-services/postpartum-support-group/
Always remember that you are an integral part of your family. They need you and you deserve time to take care of yourself.