Baby Blues vs Postpartum Anxiety and Depression How to Know When to Get Help with Brittany Keating
Are what you’re feeling normal postpartum emotions… or could it be something more?
In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Keating, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with a perinatal mental health certification (PMH-C) and founder of Cocoon and Bloom Collective, to unpack a question so many moms quietly wonder about:
What’s the difference between baby blues and a perinatal mental health disorder?
We talk through what the baby blues can look like, how they differ from postpartum depression and anxiety, and what signs may indicate it’s time to reach out for support.
Brittany also helps normalize some of the symptoms moms may feel scared to talk about—like intrusive thoughts, irritability, rage, or overwhelming anxiety—and reminds us these experiences are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
If you’ve ever questioned whether what you’re feeling is “just part of new motherhood,” this conversation offers clarity, validation, and hope.
In this episode, we talk about:
The difference between baby blues and perinatal mood disorders
How long baby blues typically last
Signs it may be time to seek support
What postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts can look like
How therapy can support healing in the postpartum season
This episode is a reminder that getting support is not a sign something is wrong with you—it’s a sign you deserve care, too.
For medical emergencies, contact your healthcare provider or call 911. For mental health crises, call or text 988.
Connect with Brittany:
Learn more about her private practice: Cocoon and Bloom Collective
Follow her on Instagram @cocoonandbloomcollective
Leave a Review
If you love the podcast, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening from.
After you review the show — take a screenshot and upload it here — so I can send you some happy mail with a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback means so much to me and helps us reach new moms who desperately need to hear that they are worthy of support!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this episode may be affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through them. Thank you for supporting the show!
Want More Support in the Postpartum Season?
If you’re longing for deeper support during postpartum, you’re invited to join my community Bible study, Postpartum on Purpose.
Inside this space, we have honest conversations about the real struggles moms face in postpartum while opening God’s Word together to see how His truth speaks into our mental health, identity, relationships, and healing.
You don’t have to walk this season alone.
featured blogs
When you hear “pelvic floor therapy,” you might immediately think of Kegels. But pelvic floor physical therapy is about so much more than strengthening one group of muscles.
In this episode of A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast, I’m talking with Dr. Abby Andres, a physical therapist who specializes in obstetric and pelvic floor care, about what moms really need to know about pelvic health before, during, and after pregnancy.
Dr. Abby brings a trauma-informed approach to her work, recognizing that pelvic health can be deeply personal and that past experiences, birth trauma, pain, and even shame can affect how a woman experiences treatment. We talk about how to know when a symptom is something worth getting help for, what pelvic floor therapy can actually address, and what postpartum recovery should look like in those early weeks.