BABY BLUES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTH AFTER CHILDBIRTH: THE NURSING TEAM'S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Objective: The postpartum period is marked by intense physical, emotional, and social changes that make women especially vulnerable to psychological alterations. Among these conditions, baby blues and postpartum depression stand out, often confused but distinct in terms of severity, duration, and impact. Baby blues appears in the first days after childbirth, characterized by tearfulness, emotional lability, anxiety, and fatigue, with spontaneous resolution within two weeks. Postpartum depression, however, is a more severe, persistent, and disabling disorder that affects the mother–infant relationship and requires specialized care. Methodology: This study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the differences between baby blues and postpartum depression, as well as to identify the main management strategies used by nursing professionals in the care of postpartum women. Results and Discussion: National and international databases were reviewed, and 10 articles published between 2015 and 2024 were selected. The findings highlight the strategic role of nursing in the early identification of emotional distress, qualified listening, welcoming, and providing guidance to postpartum women and their families. Conclusion: It is concluded that nursing plays a fundamental role in preventing the progression of baby blues to depressive conditions, reinforcing the importance of care protocols and a multidisciplinary support network for maternal mental health.