Palm Trees

Fathers of New Babies Deal with Depression Too

For some reason, the idea of depression often tends to have a female connotation to it. Maybe it is because females tend to share their feelings more readily or there is just more attention to this area, but women do not have the market cornered on depression. This is true even when there are newborns involved.

A recent USA Today piece noted that excessive newborn crying can take a toll on both parents, causing depression to occur. This can lead to health problems and even risky behavior for parents. According to pediatrician Lisa Asta of Walnut Creek, California, a baby with colic can lead to frustrated parents who may shake their infants. This shaking can cause irreversible brain damage in some cases.

While a number of studies have suggested that babies may be more likely to have colic if their mothers are depressed, researchers are now asking whether the same is true of children with a depressed father. If this proves to be true, it is important for these men to get the help they need.

In a study in Pediatrics, researchers examined 7,600 babies and their parents, screening both mothers and fathers during the pregnancy and following up two months after the birth of the child. The challenge in completing the study was that parents depressed during pregnancy were less likely to complete the surveys.

Results of the study indicate that it is unlikely that the baby’s crying caused men to be depressed. However, the study did not measure whether or not a depressed father created an environment where a child was more likely to cry more often.

While the findings from this study are not conclusive, they do suggest that further research should be done in this area. Much of the focus at the time of a new baby is put on the baby and the mother, which can often minimize the important role the father plays. If he is suffering, even in silence, this can hinder his ability to be an effective caregiver and can add to his depression.