Baby blues: A common temporary psychological state right after childbirth when a new mother may have sudden mood swings, feeling very happy, then very sad, cry for no apparent reason, feel impatient, unusually irritable, restless, anxious, lonely and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or as long as 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. The baby blues in this sense are less severe than a postpartum depression. The baby blues do not always require treatment from a health care provider. Often, joining a support group of new mothers or talking with other mothers helps.
The term "baby blues" is sometimes used as a synonym for postpartum depression.