The short explanation
Feeling sidelined and criticised while you are recovering and learning to care for your baby is painful, and crying every day is a sign you need support, not a sign you are failing. It can help to decide what help you want, such as cooking, cleaning or watching the baby while you sleep, and what you want to do yourself, such as feeding and bathing the baby. Talking first with your husband, so he can support you in conversations with his family, often makes it easier.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Daily crying that lasts more than two weeks, or feeling hopeless or worthless, can be signs of postnatal depression. A doctor can help, and Tele-MANAS on 14416 is a free helpline.
- Your doctor or a health worker can explain to the family that a mother needs time with her baby and rest to recover.
- Family conflict after a birth is common in joint families, and asking for change is reasonable.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot assess your mood or your family situation. A doctor or counsellor can talk this through with you.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could my daily crying be postnatal depression?
- Can I see a counsellor?
- How can I explain my needs to my family?
- Is there support available for new mothers near me?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have thoughts of ending your life or of harming yourself or your baby and feel you might act on them, or if someone you love seems to be losing touch with reality. You can also call Tele-MANAS on 14416, a free government mental-health helpline that works day and night.
Get help the same day
- Contact a doctor or Tele-MANAS the same day if you feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days to talk about your mood.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Mention family stress and mood at your postnatal check.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Postpartum depression MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Postnatal depression NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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