Welcoming a new baby into the world is often described as joyful, transformative, and full of wonder. And while that can be true, it’s not the whole story. For many new parents, the transition into parenthood carries an undercurrent of emotional strain, feelings that can be confusing, heavy, or hard to name.
Postnatal depression can touch anyone adjusting to life with a newborn, and it often appears quietly. It affects mothers, fathers, and parents by adoption alike, far more commonly than most people realise (Gedzyk-Nieman, 2021).
This article explores what postnatal depression is, why it can be overlooked, and how herbal medicine, paired with professional support, can help strengthen emotional resilience during this tender season of family life.
Understanding Postnatal Depression
A condition more common than most people know
Studies suggest that more than 1 in 10 women who experience a live birth develop postnatal depression (NHS, 2023; Gedzyk-Nieman, 2021). Yet many cases remain unreported due to stigma, cultural expectations, or a belief that “this is just what new parenthood feels like.”
Importantly, postnatal depression does not only affect mothers. Research shows that fathers also experience significant depressive symptoms in the perinatal period, particularly within the first year postpartum (Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). This includes biological fathers, adoptive parents, and partners who feel the cumulative weight of new responsibility, sleep loss, and emotional overwhelm.
What postnatal depression can look like
While postnatal depression shares similarities with major depressive disorder, its presentation can vary:
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Persistent low mood or emotional numbness
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Difficulty bonding with the baby
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Anxiety, irritability, or intrusive thoughts
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Withdrawal from loved ones
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Disrupted appetite or sleep
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A sense of hopelessness or inadequacy
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Feeling “unlike yourself”
Fathers may present differently, often showing irritability, withdrawal, increased work hours, avoidance, or reliance on substances as coping mechanisms (Paulson & Bazemore, 2010).
Symptoms can develop anytime in the first 12 months after birth, meaning they often appear long after the initial postpartum period, when external support has faded.
Baby Blues vs. Postnatal Depression
Most new mothers experience “baby blues” — mood swings, tearfulness, irritability — in the first few days after birth. These symptoms typically resolve within two weeks.
Postnatal depression, however, is a clinical condition that persists or emerges later and requires proper support and recognition (NHS, 2023). Because its onset may be subtle, it’s often overlooked, dismissed, or misunderstood.
Why early support matters
Untreated postnatal depression can affect the emotional climate of the home and, over time, influence a child’s development and well-being (Gedzyk-Nieman, 2021). Early identification and support benefit the whole family.
Root Causes and Risk Factors
There is no single cause of postnatal depression, it is multifactorial, shaped by biological, genetic, psychological, and social influences (Gedzyk-Nieman, 2021). Factors may include:
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Hormonal shifts after pregnancy or birth
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Nutrient depletion
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Severe sleep disruption
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Birth trauma
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Limited support systems
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Previous mental health challenges
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Genetic predisposition
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Societal pressure to “be fine”
Understanding this complexity helps clarify that postnatal depression has nothing to do with personal weakness or lack of love. It is a whole-body, whole-life experience.
A Herbalist’s Perspective: Gentle, Holistic Support
Once a diagnosis is made, there are effective therapeutic approaches. Psychological and social interventions have been shown to support recovery (Dennis & Dowswell, 2013). Herbal medicine can complement this care, offering grounding support for mood, sleep, anxiety, and nervous system resilience.
Herbs are never a replacement for clinical treatment when needed, rather, they work alongside professional support to nourish the system.
Herbal Nervines and Adaptogens
When considering herbal support during pregnancy or breastfeeding, caution and professional guidance are essential. Herbal safety can vary, and certain herbs require specific dosing protocols (Bone & Mills, 2013). Below are herbs commonly used within clinical herbal practice:
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa)
A traditional rejuvenative tonic for women, supporting hormonal steadiness, mood, and nervous system resilience.
Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
A deeply nutritive nervine that nourishes an exhausted system and supports adrenal balance, often used postpartum with guidance (Bone & Mills, 2013).
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
A grounding adaptogen that supports fatigue, overwhelm, and anxiety. Best used postpartum under professional supervision due to limited breastfeeding safety data.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
A calming, uplifting, digestive-soothing herb widely used for emotional tension and sleep support.
Passiflora (Passiflora incarnata) & Linden (Tilia spp.)
Mildly anxiolytic herbs ideal for tea blends and bedtime relaxation.
Herbal support works best when tailored, considering constitution, sleep, stress, energy, and the birth experience, which is why personalized consultations can be invaluable.
Support for Both Parents
Postnatal depression in fathers is frequently overlooked or minimised. Many partners feel responsible for staying strong, holding everything together, or suppressing their own distress. Gentle herbal support, structure, and daily rituals can help fathers experiencing burnout, low mood, or overwhelm.
Zen Maitri’s Balance Tea, adaptogenic formulas, and calming nervines can support emotional steadiness for any parent navigating this life transition.
Practical Tools for Everyday Support
Small daily practices can create meaningful shifts in one’s physical and emotional wellbeing:
Tea Rituals
Grounding blends like Zen Maitri’s New Mum Tea, Balance Tea, and Deep Sleep Tea offer nourishment and a moment of calm.
Nutrition + Herbal Supplements
Magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3s support nervous system function and emotional regulation (Bone & Mills, 2013). Zen Maitri’s expertly crafted Ashwagandha capsules and Deep Sleep supplements can provide further herbal support.
Sleep Support
During postpartum recovery, the number of hours of sleep a new parent experiences will often be greatly limited. Zen Maitri’s Deep Sleep tincture, tea, capsules and our Sleep Better Pillow Mist can encourage more restful and restorative sleep, which is vital for postpartum recovery.
Bathing & Oil Rituals
New Mother's Bath Salts, Unwind Bath Salts, Embrace Body Oil, and Solitude Body Oil support grounding, emotional release, and body reconnection.
Consultations
A personalised consultation with a medical herbalist ensures safe, tailored herbal support that considers breastfeeding, birth recovery, mental health, and whole-family needs. For personalized support and more information about our products and services, book a free 15-minute discovery call with a clinical herbalist.
When to Seek Additional Support
If symptoms persist, worsen, or disrupt daily life, it is important to speak with a GP, therapist, or mental health professional. Herbal medicine integrates best with conventional care when needed (Dennis & Dowswell, 2013).
Breastfeeding parents should always consult a qualified medical herbalist or health professional before using herbs, as some constituents may pass into breast milk or affect supply.
Stepping Into a More Supported Postpartum Season
Speaking honestly about parental mental health takes courage. Postnatal depression is common, real, and treatable, and recognising it is the first step toward healing. Herbal medicine offers gentle, grounded support that works hand-in-hand with professional care, helping parents find steadiness and resilience in a time of profound change.
If you or someone you love is navigating postnatal depression, Zen Maitri’s herbalists are here to help, with personalised consultations and a thoughtful range of natural remedies designed to support calm, connection, and emotional well-being.
References
Gedzyk-Nieman, S. A. (2021). Postpartum and paternal postnatal depression: Identification, risks, and resources. Nursing Clinics of North America, 56(3), 325–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2021.04.001
Dennis, C. L., & Dowswell, T. (2013). Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2), CD001134. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001134.pub3
Paulson, J. F., & Bazemore, S. D. (2010). Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: A meta-analysis. JAMA, 303(19), 1961–1969. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.605
Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
NHS. (2023). Postnatal depression. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-natal-depression/
PANDAS Foundation. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
Gedzyk-Nieman, S. A. (2021). Postpartum and paternal postnatal depression: Identification, risks, and resources. Nursing Clinics of North America, 56(3), 325–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2021.04.001
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