7 Powerful Ways Family Photos Impact Postpartum Mental Wellness
See how you can use printed photos as your secret postpartum mental wellness weapon.
You’ve just brought a brand new, tiny human into the world—no big deal, right? Life as you’ve always known it has just been flipped on its head (in the best way possible, of course!). So it’s perfectly normal to feel like you don’t have everything figured out yet.
No matter if it’s your first baby or your fourth, adjusting to the postpartum period is always an adventure with its ups and downs. As you navigate this new chapter, life might seem like a whirlwind of beautiful chaos, but rest assured, there are plenty of bright spots along the way! Resources like these week-by-week articles by The Bump, and community message boards are super helpful for navigating all of this newness and meeting other new moms who can relate.
Another secret weapon to help you amidst the sleepless nights and endless diaper changes are printed family photos. You’ll be surprised how printed photos have the power of bringing a bit of calm and a whole lot of joy to your postpartum mental health journey. See how these tangible memories can help you thrive during this special time.
Sometimes you just need a nudge to remember your amazing support system, near or far. According to a statistic from womensmentalhealth.org, nearly 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance during the postpartum period. And it’s no wonder why, your life just did a total 180.
But, by surrounding yourself with photos and memories shared with loved ones, you’ll feel more emotional support and be reminded of the strong family bonds during this transformative time. In a research collaboration with The Bump, survey results showed that nearly 7 in 10 parents felt printing photos of their children was either extremely or very important to them. Pro tip: Have you or your partner print photo books filled with your all-time favorite memories and keep them on your nightstand to flip through during those night feedings.
Beware the “baby blues.” While you’ve just experienced the most magical moment of your life, your body and your hormones are going through it. According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 70-80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” caused by a huge hormonal shift shortly after birth.
An easy way to bring moments of joy to your day during this era of new mood swings is to relive the joy you’ve already experienced. Looking at happy memories can trigger positive emotions, helping to alleviate postpartum blues and boost your postpartum mental wellness.
7 in 10 Bump parents felt that looking at photos of their children impacted their mental health by:
- Helping them with better memory recall of their favorite moments with their children
- Making them feel closer to their children
So, why print photos? Did you know when looking at printed photos 88% of families feel closer to each other and 86% appreciate each other more? You can read the full study here. Feeling this sense of strength and connection is more important than ever during the postpartum period. It can remind you of the strong bond you and your partner have shared and continue to share.
Plus, sharing photos with your newborn can help build a sense of connection for them too, even before they fully recognize faces, fostering early bonding.
Displaying familiar images can help ground you during a period of significant change, reminding you of your life before and connecting it to your new reality. Snuggling your new bundle of joy is the greatest thing in the world, however the lack of sleep, and general unknown of this situation you’ve never been in before is far from it. The Office on Women’s Health reports that about 1 in 8 women report symptoms of PPD in the year after giving birth.
Keeping photo books around the house of previous vacations, celebrations, and even your favorite everyday memories can help you pause, reflect, and feel more connected to your new self by bridging the gap with your old one. Over 8 in 10 Bump parents agree that looking at photos of their children strengthens their bonds with them. And it’s also a great reminder of all of the good memories to come.
So much transition happens in such a short amount of time that you may not be able to fully process the experience for a while. One way to help speed that up is by taking time in between feeds and naps to reflect on your journey to motherhood through photos. This can help you process the experience by providing a visual narrative of your evolving role.
Creating a photo book documenting your pregnancy journey or documenting your journey month by month as it unfolds with a series of photo books are both great ways to reflect, acknowledge, and enjoy the pregnancy and postpartum journey you’re on.
While life just got a lot more magical for you and your new family, it also got a little bit…busier. From diaper changes, to outfit changes, to feedings, to tummy times, to soothing–sometimes it may feel like you have to pencil in some time just to brush your teeth! So, it’s not surprising that, unfortunately only 40% of mothers attend their postpartum follow-up visit, when it is a necessary time for mothers to get support, as reported by the National Diaper Bank Network. Having a newborn is a full time job and then some!
An easy way to inspire self-care is to look at photos of previous joyful moments. 2 in 3 Bump parents would recommend other moms use photos of their children as a tool for emotional support. By reflecting on memories where you’re smiling, happy, and having a good time, you’ll realize just how important you are to your family and feel more motivated to put yourself first sometimes too.
You are incredible. Not only did you grow a whole new life, but you brought it into this world, and now you’re growing into your new role as a parent and settling into your new family dynamic. That’s a whole lotta growth!
By documenting your pregnancy journey month by month in photo books, and creating new photo books filled with your newest addition, you can really see just how far you’ve come.
Incorporating new photos alongside older ones allows you to see your family's growth and evolution, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride during the postpartum period, and you definitely deserve to feel proud!
Strong. Capable. Resilient. Patient. That’s all you, Mama! The postpartum period is a magical time but can also present its challenges. Surrounding yourself with photos of your favorite memories can serve as a great reminder to yourself just how amazing you are and that you are so, so capable of this thing called motherhood. If you’re finding that you need extra help and support, do not hesitate to call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7 free confidential support for pregnant and new moms.
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