Ten percent of children experience the effects of their mother’s depression in the first years of life. This leads to profound consequences.
Because depressed mothers don’t consistently interact with their babies, the natural joy and enthusiasm of the infant is dampened. Baby doesn’t have the cognitive skills to understand their intense feelings of fear and rejection. The feelings go unresolved and reduce the baby’s coping skills which, in turn, impacts cognitive and social development.
Unresolved sadness becomes pervasive and possibly lifelong. The physical stress on the hormonal system and cardiac functioning makes them vulnerable to physical illness.
Post-partum depression, other mental illnesses and health conditions may keep Momma from fully engaging with baby. So, if Momma is struggling in that first year after birth, act quickly to avoid long-term consequences.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
At drclaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Because depressed mothers don’t consistently interact with their babies, the natural joy and enthusiasm of the infant is dampened. Baby doesn’t have the cognitive skills to understand their intense feelings of fear and rejection. The feelings go unresolved and reduce the baby’s coping skills which, in turn, impacts cognitive and social development.
Unresolved sadness becomes pervasive and possibly lifelong. The physical stress on the hormonal system and cardiac functioning makes them vulnerable to physical illness.
Post-partum depression, other mental illnesses and health conditions may keep Momma from fully engaging with baby. So, if Momma is struggling in that first year after birth, act quickly to avoid long-term consequences.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
At drclaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
