--- title: "Postpartum Blues and Caregiver Health" slug: "postpartum-blues-and-caregiver-health" updated: 2026-06-26T23:05:34Z published: 2026-06-26T23:05:34Z canonical: "healthhub.cpcmg.net/postpartum-blues-and-caregiver-health" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://healthhub.cpcmg.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Postpartum Blues and Caregiver Health ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/a196e2c1-0707-4b9f-8164-e8201c779cd7/Images/Documentation/image-4P2WAFOP.png) [![Appointment Info](https://cdn.us.document360.io/a196e2c1-0707-4b9f-8164-e8201c779cd7/Images/Documentation/1650055438388-1650055438388.png)](/v1/docs/appointments-and-contact-information) [![Care Decision Info](https://cdn.us.document360.io/a196e2c1-0707-4b9f-8164-e8201c779cd7/Images/Documentation/1654467115781-1654467115781.png)](https://www.rchsd.org/wait-times/what-type-of-care-does-my-child-need/)

DISCLAIMER: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product, service, or external web site does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product, service, or external web site content by CPCMG. We attempt to keep lists of resources and referrals as up to date as possible; however, this information is constantly changing. Please check with the service provider and your insurance company to verify coverage.

 ### **Definition** - Postpartum blues (baby blues) are mood changes after welcoming a new child. - This can happen after giving birth to a new child, and this can also happen to fathers and non-birthing parents. - This can also happen after welcoming a child through foster care or adoption. - More than half of new mothers have this for the first few weeks. ### **Health Information** #### **Symptoms** - Feel sad, anxious, trapped or overwhelmed. - Lose interest in things you usually enjoy. - Have a hard time sleeping. - Have trouble focusing or making decisions. - Your mood can swing from happy and proud in one moment to sad and discouraged in the next. - Symptoms start within a few days after childbirth and improve in 2 weeks. #### **Causes** - Sudden drop in maternal hormone levels after giving birth. This affects mood. - Lack of good sleep and general exhaustion from caring for a newborn. - Stress of your demanding new job caring for a baby. - For some, changes in identity and career. - Not enough family support and help caring for the newborn. ### **Care Advice** #### **Key Points** - Baby blues are common in the first weeks after giving birth. - Hormone changes and sleep deprivation are the main causes. - Focus on your baby's needs. Ask for help with other demands. - Here is some care advice that should help. #### **Ask for Help** - Ask for help from family and friends, especially in the first few weeks. - No one can be on duty 24/7 without becoming exhausted. Taking care of a newborn is not a one-person job. - Let family or friends run errands, do chores, make meals or help with childcare. - Let someone watch your baby while you shower, relax or sleep. - If you can, use a meal delivery service or babysitter for extra help. #### **Take Care of Yourself** - Let go of perfection. Give yourself time to adjust to your new role as a parent. - Don’t feel guilty if you are not enjoying every aspect of taking care of your baby - it’s hard work! - Take care of your body as it heals from childbirth. - Eat a well-balanced diet. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. - Take naps while your baby sleeps. - Stay active. Get out of the house daily. Take a walk with your baby. Ask a friend to join you. - To gain a sense of control over your life, try to build new routines. #### **Share Your Feelings** - Share how you feel with someone in your life who is a good listener. - Talk with other new mothers about your shared experiences. Team up with people you know or join a new mom's group. - Journal about your thoughts and feelings. - Be kind to yourself. Know that feeling this way is normal. - Reach out to national helplines for support. Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 ([https://www.postpartum.net/](https://www.postpartum.net/)) or the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6265) ([https://www.nami.org/Home](https://www.nami.org/Home)). #### **What To Expect** - Baby blues will start to improve 10 to 14 days after childbirth. - If your baby blues last longer than 3 weeks, talk to your doctor. - In about 10% of new mothers, the postpartum blues can turn into postpartum depression. There are treatments that can help. #### **Call Your Health Care Provider If** - Baby blues last beyond 3 weeks - You feel like harming yourself or your baby - You have other questions or concerns ### Therapists and Behavioral Health Resources San Diego County ResourcesRiverside County Resources **Postpartum Health Alliance** Services:Education, Support, Referrals Eligibility: None Contact: 619-254-0023 to reach a trained volunteer [www.postpartumhealthalliance.org](http://www.postpartumhealthalliance.org) **Maternal Child Health** Services: Nurse home visitation services including Education, Support, Referrals Eligiblity: Low income pregnant or postpartum women. High risk pregnancy, history of prenatal loss, preterm birth Contact: [Home Visiting Program](https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/mcsd/Office-of-Nursing-Excellence/Home-Visiting-Program.html) **Maternal Health Systems, Inc - Family Recovery Residential Drug Treatment** Services: Residential treatment providing support, referrals, and group therapy Eligibility: Chemically dependent and 18+ years old Contact: 760-439-6702 1100 Sportfisher Dr., Oceanside **Postpartum Adjustment Support Society of North County San Diego** Services: Support and referrals to providers and support group Eligibility: None Contact: 760-814-1421 [Home - Pacific Post Partum Support Society](https://postpartum.org/) **Sharp Outpatient Pavilian-Postpartum Support Group** Services: Support Eligibility: New mothers and fathers Contact: 1-800-82-SHARP [http://www.sharp.com/health-classes/postpartum-support-group-17](http://www.sharp.com/health-classes/postpartum-support-group-17) **First 5 First Steps Home Visiting Program** Services: Home visiting services for Education, Referrals Eligibility: Low income families, Teen mothers, Immigrant/refugee family, Military family Contact: - Central: 619-283-9624 X285 - North Central: 619-283-9624 - East: 619-938-3239 - North Coastal: 760-739-3261 - North Inland: 760-739-2835 - South: 619-336-8364 [First 5 First Steps Home Visiting Program - First 5 San Diego](https://first5sandiego.org/programs/family/first-5-first-steps-home-visiting-program/) **Changent** Services: Home visiting providing Education and Referrals Eligiblity: First time mothers and Low Income Contact: [Home - Changent](https://changent.org/) **Mental Health America of San Diego - Father2Child Program** Services: 12 week Education program Eligibility: Southeast San Diego, African American father Contact: 619-543-0412 [Father 2 Child | Mental Health America of San Diego County](https://www.mhasd.org/father-2-child#:~:text=Father2Child%20is%20a%20Free%20Court%20Approved%2012-week%20program,child%2C%20to%20create%20stronger%20bonds%20with%20their%20children.) **Healthy Development Services/Family Health Services San Diego** Services: Support, Referrals, Treatment Eligiblity: Mother is current Family Health Clinic San Diego client with services at Central region, Logan Heights, or North Park Contact: 619-515-2405 [Healthy Development Services Central | Clinic Locations](https://www.fhcsd.org/healthy-development-services-central/) **Postpartum Depression Help Line** 1-800-944-4773 **San Diego Access & Crisis Line** 1-800-479-3339 **Postpartum Support International** Contact: Text in English: 800-944-4773 Text en Español: 971-203-7773 The HelpLine will provide support and resources. Leave a confidential message and a trained and caring volunteer will return the call or text. Website: [Help for Perinatal Individuals | Postpartum Support International (PSI)](https://postpartum.net/get-help/help-for-moms/) **Cell-Ed** Services: Education Eligibility: None Contact: [https://learn.cell-ed.com/#/](https://learn.cell-ed.com/#/) Enter your phone number and then use PIN 9250 to join the program and select your course. **National Parent Helpline** Contact: 1-855-427-2736 The National Parent Helpline is staffed with trained advocates who can offer emotional support, advice, and a listening ear when you need it. **Black Infant Health Program (BIH)** Services: Support, Education Eligibility: Black women who are 16 years or older, pregnant or up to six months postpartum at the time of enrollment regardless of income. Contact: [https://blackinfanthealth.org/](https://blackinfanthealth.org/) **Black Infant Health - Central San Diego** > 286 Euclid Avenue, Suite 308, San Diego, CA 92114 > > Phone: (619) 266-7466 | Fax: (619) 262-9188 > > Email: [bih@neighborhoodhouse.org](mailto:bih@neighborhoodhouse.org) **Black Infant Health – North County** > 3156 Vista Way, Suite 200, Oceanside, CA 92056 > > Phone: (760) 231-1887 | Fax: (760) 231-1885 > > Email: [bih@neighborhoodhouse.org](mailto:bih@neighborhoodhouse.org) **Postpartum Depression Help Line** 1-800-944-4773 **Postpartum Support International** Services: Education, Support, Referrals Eligibility: None Contact: 1-800-944-4773 [www.postpartum.net](http://www.postpartum.net) **New Parent Support Group** Services: Education, Support, Referrals Eligibility: Be eligible for care at a Military Treatment Facility Contact: 760-725-3884 [MCCS Pendleton](https://pendleton.usmc-mccs.org/) **Novell & Novell Counseling Services** Services: Support and Counseling Eligibility: Call to verify insurance coverage. IEHP, Medi-Cal, Molina, Tri-Care accepted Contact: 951-252-9911 **IEHP Maternal Health Resources** Services: Education, Support, Counseling Eligibility: Mostly free Contact: 866-228-4347 3590 Tyler St, Riverside **Emilia Ortega-Jara, LCSW** Services: Therapy and Treatment Eligibility: Accepts CIGNA, IEHP, Magellan, Blue Shield Call for additional options, sliding scale may be available Contact: 951-575-2215 [Counseling Services Emilia Ortega Jara | Corazón Counseling™ Riverside CA](https://corazoncounseling.com/) 3742 Tibbetts St. Sutie 201 Riverside, CA 92506 **Healthy Family Beginnings - Amanda Vadney, MFT, CLE** Services: Therapy, Treatment, and Support group Eligibility: Call for prices Contact: 951-639-8263 28924 Old Town St. Suite 203 Temecula, CA 92590 **Shana M. Truel, M.ED LPCC** Services: Therapy and Treatment Eligibility: Takes many health care plans, call for eligibility Contact: 951-200-5154 44605 Avenida de Missiones Suite 206 Temecula, CA 92592 **Amy Leigh Fernandez** Services: Therapy and Treatment Eligibility: Takes many health care plans, call for eligibility Contact: 951-447-8926 **Corazon Counseling - Postpartum Support Group** Services: Support Eligibility: None Contact: 951-452-0067 **San Bernardino - Arrowhead Regional Medical Center** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 909-580-3530 **Redlands Christian Counseling Services** Services: Free Support Group with childcare provided Eligibility: None Contact: 909-793-1078 ext. 214 **Temecula/Murrieta Healthy Family Beginnings** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 951-639-8263 **Parkview Hospital Riverside/El Sol** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 951-823-0360 **Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 951-358-5438 Indio, CA **Lake Elsinore Family Care Center** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 951-358-5438 **Hemet Family Care Center** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 951-358-5438 **Val Verde District-Red Maple School** Services: Free Support Group Eligibility: None Contact: 951-358-5438 Moreno Valley, CA **Riverside Mental Health Crisis Line** 951-358-4881 **San Bernardino Crisis Line** 909-421-9233 909-458-9628 **Cell-Ed** Services: Education Eligibility: None Contact: [https://learn.cell-ed.com/#/](https://learn.cell-ed.com/#/) Enter your phone number and then use PIN 9250 to join the program and select your course. **National Parent Helpline** Contact: 1-855-427-2736 The National Parent Helpline is staffed with trained advocates who can offer emotional support, advice, and a listening ear when you need it. **Mental Health and Crisis Support for Women** Services: Support Eligibility: None Contact: Medi-Cal Care Line: 800-706-7500 Riverside Mental Health Crisis: 951-358-4881 Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255 [https://up2riverside.org/women/](https://up2riverside.org/women/) **Life Choice Pregnancy Center** Services: Support, Education, Resources, Referrals Eligibility: None Contact: 909-382-4550 [https://lifechoicepc.com/](https://lifechoicepc.com/) **Reach Out Strengthening Communities - Mamas y Bebes** Services: Support, Education Eligibility: Riverside residents Contact: Stephany Quiroz P 909-982-8641and/or [stephany@we-reachout.org](mailto:stephany@we-reachout.org) [Mamas y Bebes](https://we-reachout.org/myb/) **Riverside Life Services** Services: Educational, Resources, Support, Referrals Eligibility: None Contact: 951-784-2422 and/or [info@riversidelifeservices.org](mailto:info@riversidelifeservices.org) [https://www.riversidelifeservices.org/free-classes](https://www.riversidelifeservices.org/free-classes) ## 📚 References This content was adapted from [American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Patient Education](https://publications.aap.org/patiented), Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP. Reviewed by JW MD, Patient Education Committee, PL MD, ME Behavioral Health Committee.