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What Not To Say To A Postpartum Parent Who Isn’t OK (And What to Say Instead)
HuffPost • • health
Key Points:
- Maternal mental health disorders affect 20% of U.S. women and are the leading complication of childbirth, with many mothers feeling judged or dismissed during the perinatal period.
- Common phrases like "Sleep when the baby sleeps" or "Enjoy every moment" can unintentionally add pressure or invalidate a mother's experience; experts recommend more empathetic and specific support language.
- It is crucial to recognize serious mental health issues such as postpartum psychosis, which involves a break from reality and requires immediate attention and professional intervention.
- Support for postpartum mothers should be ongoing, extending beyond the initial weeks after birth, with a focus on listening, checking in, and offering concrete help rather than generic offers.
- Validating a mother's feelings and experiences, rather than minimizing them with statements like "At least the baby is healthy," is essential for preserving mental health and encouraging mothers to seek help when needed.
