Why am I Crying So Much After Baby?

You’re standing in the kitchen, holding your baby and crying…for the third time today. You’re not sure why. Maybe it was a TikTok video. Or the way your baby looked at you. Or the fact that your partner loaded the dishwasher “wrong.” Again.

And somewhere in the back of your mind, you’re wondering:

“Why am I crying so much after having a baby?”

“Is this normal? Am I okay?”

There is nothing wrong with you. And you are absolutely not alone.

Is it Normal to Cry Every Day After Birth?

In short: yes- and there are very real reasons why.

Roughly 80% of new moms experience what’s often referred to as the baby blues: emotional ups and downs, tearfulness, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed. This usually peaks around day 3–5 postpartum and can last up to two weeks.

But even beyond that window, it’s still very common to cry- sometimes daily. Your body, your brain, and your entire nervous system are going through one of the most profound transitions of your life.

Crying is not a sign of weakness. It’s a release valve. It’s how your body says:

“I’m full. I need care.”

What’s Going On in Your Body?

1. Hormonal Whiplash

After birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply- more dramatically than at any other time in your life. These hormones help regulate mood, energy, and sleep. Their sudden absence can feel like an emotional free-fall.

At the same time, oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) and prolactin (which supports milk production) surge- adding intensity to your emotions, especially around connection, touch, and your baby’s needs.

2. Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion

There’s tired- and then there’s postpartum tired.

I thought I knew what it was like to feel sleep deprived. Prior to having my first, as a director to a residential program, I was on call 24 hours a day, so it was not uncommon for me to have been woken up multiple times in teh night or even having to come in to cover a night shift and then work a full day afterwards. While that was certainly exhausting at times, it was NOTHING like postpartum exhaustion.

Waking up every 2–3 hours, constant alertness, and disrupted circadian rhythms impact your emotional resilience. When you’re this exhausted, even small stressors can feel enormous. Tears become a natural (and sometimes unavoidable) outlet.

3. Nervous System Overload

Your nervous system is constantly scanning for safety- for your baby and for you.

You may notice you’re more jumpy, sensitive to noise, or easily overwhelmed. This is your nervous system working overtime to protect you both. But when it doesn’t have time to rest and reset, you may find yourself outside your “window of tolerance”- the emotional range where you feel regulated.

Crying is often the signal that you’re reaching that edge.

When Crying Feels Like Too Much

There’s a wide range of what’s normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until you hit a breaking point to get support.

Here are some signs that it may be something more than the baby blues:

• You feel hopeless or numb

• You’re crying all day, not just occasionally

• You have intrusive or scary thoughts

• You feel disconnected from your baby

• You’re not enjoying anything anymore

You don’t need a checklist to justify your struggle. If you’re asking “Is this too much?”- that’s enough. Trust your inner knowing.

You Don’t Have to Fix Your Feelings

Let’s be clear:

Your emotions are not the problem.

Isolation is. Unrealistic expectations are. Systems that don’t support mothers are.

At Happy Moms Therapy, we don’t believe in pathologizing normal emotional responses to a massive life shift. You don’t need to be “fixed.”

You deserve to be supported.

Therapy can be a place to:

• Understand what’s happening in your brain and body

• Learn tools to calm your nervous system

• Release guilt and embrace self-compassion

• Grieve what didn’t go how you hoped

• Make space for joy, pride, and healing

You Deserve to Be Held, Too

At Happy Moms Therapy, I see you. I’ve been you.

This practice was created by a therapist who’s also a mom- I’m someone who knows how disorienting those early months can be. I specialize in postpartum mental health, trauma healing, and identity shifts in motherhood.

Whether you’re crying because you feel overwhelmed, or because you’re feeling everything all at once- your emotions matter.

“Crying doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re feeling. And that’s incredibly human.”

Ready to Feel a Little Less Alone?

At Happy Moms Therapy, I offer warm, nonjudgmental therapy for moms across California- virtually, so you don’t have to find a sitter or leave your home. Whether you’re three days postpartum or one year and nine months in, there’s space here for you.

✨ Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation

✨ Learn more about our postpartum therapy services

You don’t have to hold it all together. We can hold some of it with you.

Disclaimer: This is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or mental health services. This is for educational purposes only and should be in used only in conjunction in working with a licensed mental health professional. If you are in California and looking for a professional therapist feel free to use the contact me to request an appointment or search Psychology Today for local therapists in your area.

Related Posts