{"id":125687,"date":"2022-06-14T11:00:17","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T10:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=125687"},"modified":"2023-03-05T19:57:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T19:57:57","slug":"postpartum-depression-in-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/postpartum-depression-in-men.htm","title":{"rendered":"Postpartum Depression in Men? ‘Dad Brain’? Yes, It’s All a Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"postpartum

photo by Anna Shvets for Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n

by Liz Szalai<\/span><\/p>\n

The postnatal wellbeing of new mothers<\/a>, including mental health, is now a hot topic. But men go through changes too, some even before the baby is born, and things like postnatal depression in men are real issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dad brain<\/span><\/h2>\n

It’s not just that you feel different since becoming a father. You are actually <\/strong>experiencing real changes, if a small but fascinating study<\/span><\/a> exploring changes in fathers’ brains postpartum is anything to go by.<\/span><\/p>\n

It found that there were significant neurological changes during<\/strong> four months postpartum. The researchers concluded that this\u00a0 period is critical for dads<\/a> to \u00a0develop an emotional bond with their infants through intense interactions. This can become the basis of father-child attachment<\/a>, which will then have long term impact on your child’s cognitive and social development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hormonal changes happen to dads, too<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scientists not only proved changes in the brain, they found that new fathers experience changes in their hormone levels, too. This can help explain the good feelings, as well as contribute to postpartum depression in men<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The ‘love’ hormone<\/h3>\n

Oxytocin is the hormone associated with bonding, sometimes called the \u201clove hormone\u201d. New mothers are known to see significant rises in oxytocin during pregnancy<\/a> and breastfeeding. And now a research review<\/span><\/a> demonstrated that there is a measurable increase in the new father\u2019s oxytocin levels, too, during stimulating and playful interactions with their new child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Men don’t breastfeed, but…<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"postpartumProlactin is known as the hormone that plays an important role in breastfeeding. But a study<\/span><\/a> shows how fathers\u2019 prolactin level also changes during the postpartum period, elevating and meaning they are more responsive to their baby’s cues.<\/span><\/p>\n

No you aren’t imaging it… your libido is lower<\/h3>\n

Wondering why your libido is not the same<\/a>? Prolactin might make you more sensitive to your child’s needs, but it also decreases both partners’ sex drives, allowing for for higher involvement in infant care and less interest in distracting ‘fertility behaviours’.<\/span><\/p>\n

And your testosterone joins the decline, apparently. A study<\/span><\/a> found that direct care of infants causes a slight decline in testosterone levels. There is an evolutionary explanation here.\u00a0 Males with lower testosterone are more likely to stay with their partners, and less likely to display aggressive behaviour towards their infant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Father-baby bonding<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the new baby arrives, fathers might feel left out<\/strong> as the baby is so reliant on their mother, especially during the fourth trimester when the baby is adjusting to the outside world. <\/span><\/p>\n

But the father-baby bond can be just as special.<\/strong> It is important to start early, recommends the National Childbirth Trust<\/span><\/a>. Caregiving, communication, and play can help to form a connection<\/a> between a new father and child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skin-to-skin contact<\/h2>\n
\"postpartum

photo by Nappy for Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n

Skin-to-skin contact can also play a very important role, as it helps the baby<\/strong> regulate<\/a> and calm down. And it produces hormones in the father to strengthen the bond and reduce anxiety<\/a> in both parents and baby, mentions a study<\/span><\/a> exploring early interactions with pre-term infants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another study<\/span><\/a> found that after caesarean delivery, father-baby skin to skin contact <\/span>\u201cwas beneficial for newborns by stabilising newborns\u2019 physical conditions and increasing the breastfeeding rate\u201d. They observed that babies\u2019 vital signs were significantly better with skin-to- skin contact.<\/p>\n

Postpartum depression in men<\/span><\/h2>\n

Postpartum depression doesn’t just affect new mothers. According to<\/strong> the NHS<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0 one<\/span>\u00a0in 10 new fathers experienced symptoms of postpartum depression in the UK.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note that symptoms can be very different in fathers than mothers.\u00a0<\/strong>The National Childbirth Trust <\/span><\/a>\u00a0states that classic depression symptoms like sadness do occur, but for some, postpartum depression in men can display as:<\/span><\/p>\n