Natural Treatment and Remedies for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a serious mental condition that affects women who have recently given birth. Newborn mothers suffering from this type of depression often experience intense sadness and helplessness, leaving them unable to care for themselves or their newborn. In extreme cases, they lose interest in the baby and consider harming themselves or their child.

Your doctor probably would prescribe antidepressants to manage your symptoms of postpartum depression. However, along with prescription drugs there are several natural treatment options as well that can help in treating postpartum depression. However, it is important to talk to professionals to determine the suitability of different treatment options for your particular symptoms.

Postpartum Depression Natural Treatment

Therapy

Therapy (psychotherapy or talk therapy) is one of the most important natural ways of treatment for postpartum depression. It can help to talk about your feelings and thoughts, as well as your fears. There are two specific types of therapies that can help: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IT).

With CBT, you learn to recognize your behavior after birth and develop strategies for dealing with your feelings and behavior. With IT, you will explore how personal relationships, including the relationship you have with your new baby, affect your ability to function and feel comfortable. These therapies are natural ways to treat postpartum depression,

Dietary changes

Dietary changes can also offer natural ways to treat postpartum depression. Newborn mothers need to maintain a healthy level of calorie intake, especially when breastfeeding. The body is healing and recovering from the process of childbirth, so you need to make sure you're getting the nutrients you need.

Increasing your levels of omega-3 fatty acids will help you manage your postpartum depression symptoms. Higher levels of oil and fats found in fish and nuts increase serotonin production in your brain and help you feel better.

Probiotics

Many doctors and healers have found a connection between gastrointestinal complaints and postpartum depression. Keeping the bacteria and flora in your gut balanced and healthy will help you avoid extreme depression and feelings of anxiety and helplessness. And so, taking probiotics would help you if you are recovering from childbirth.

Meditation

Meditation is an excellent way to prevent postpartum depression. A study at the University of Colorado showed that women trained in mindful meditation were able to manage their emotions and avoid episodes of postpartum depression. The women studied had experienced this type of depression before, but when they were taught to meditate and pay attention to the moment, they were less likely to become depressed after childbirth.

Work on meditating before having your child. If you are able to develop a habit of meditation and mindfulness practices, you will be able to use them in the postpartum period.

Here's a short video on simple meditation technique for you... ⇩

Yoga

Like meditation, yoga is one of the natural methods of treating postpartum depression. Aside from keeping your mind and emotions healthy, regular yoga practice can also help you physically reconnect with your pre-baby body. After childbirth, the stress hormones in your brain are in overdrive. Yoga helps you calm everything in your mind and your body.

One of the easiest yet effective yoga poses to help relieve postpartum depression is the Easy Pose – where you sit still and stretch your arms out in front of you with your wrists crossed. You raise your arms overhead as you inhale a powerful breath, imagining a happy place. Then lower your arms on the exhale.

Slowing down your body and focusing on your breathing can help you avoid depression and gain a stronger mind and body.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements also offer natural options for treatment for postpartum depression. St. John's wort is one of the most popular supplements that can provide therapeutic relief to women experiencing postpartum depression. You can find this supplement in over-the-counter products, and it's safe and inexpensive to take. Talk to your doctor or health care professional if St. John's wort could react with other medications you may be taking.

[ There are several other herbal supplements that are frequently associated with the treatment of different types of depression. You would find a detailed article here → Natural Remedies and Herbs for Depression. ]

Conclusion

Instead of taking prescription drugs that can come with side effects and risks, there are natural ways to treat postpartum depression. Try yoga, meditation, and dietary changes. Natural dietary supplements containing herbs such as St. John's wort can also be effective. Be sure to also talk about how you're feeling, either with a therapist or with other women in a support group.