Postpartum Depression & Anxiety: Support & Intervention for Parent and Baby

In This Episode:Navigating the journey of parenthood is a complex and multifaceted experience, encompassing moments of joy, fulfillment, and love. However, for some parents, this journey can also be marked by the struggles with postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety.In this 2nd episode of a 3-part series brought to you by St. David’s Center, developmental therapist Laura Talbot highlights common signs of PPD and anxiety and the impact on baby if parent’s symptoms persist. Building on years of early intervention experience in Illinois and now Minnesota, Laura explains risk factors that increase the likelihood of PPD. And she describes the chain of events that often ensues when a parent loses satisfaction with their interactions with baby, thereby holding baby less and smiling less, which in turn interferes with baby’s development of a secure attachment and emotional regulation. Thankfully, there are effective strategies to help parents recover and to strengthen the parent-child relationship during and beyond recovery. These are strategies that Laura and her St. David’s colleagues have used to help many babies and families thrive despite the challenges of PPD and anxiety. HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW EXPERIENCED POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY?What things helped and what made things more difficult during that challenging time? What did you hear in this podcast that shed light on what could have helped more? Laura mentions effective strategies to help parents recover and strengthen the parent-child relationship during and beyond postpartum depression. Can you think of any additional strategies or resources that could complement these approaches and contribute to the overall well-being of both parents and babies? WANT TO LEARN MORE?Check out the first episode of this three-part series: Parental Mental Health and Its Impact on Child Mental Health