Baby blues or postpartum depression: how do I tell?

Timing and direction. Baby blues hit most new mothers, peak in the first week or two, and fade on their own. Symptoms that persist past two weeks, get worse, or include hopelessness, rage, panic, intrusive thoughts, or trouble bonding: that's the postpartum depression pattern, and CDC data puts it at about 1 in 8 mothers.

Worth knowing: postpartum anxiety is just as common and gets missed because moms are waiting to feel sad, not wired. Two minutes on the PHQ-9, or a video visit from home, baby on your lap, entirely allowed.