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Babies (Newborn & Infant Health)

The first year is mostly about steady checkups, feeding, safe sleep and learning your baby’s signals — plus knowing which signs mean call the doctor today and which mean call 911. This guide covers feeding, safe sleep, crying and colic, fever, jaundice, skin, teething, vaccines, milestones and parent mental health, and looks honestly at what chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage and coaching can and cannot do for a baby.

Call 911 — or have someone call for you — if a baby has any of these signs. The NHS (UK) lists them as emergencies and says 999, which is 911 in the U.S. (NHS, urgent help for babies):

  • difficulty breathing (grunting, the tummy sucking in under the ribs, very fast breathing), or blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue;
  • a floppy baby, one who is hard to wake or cannot be woken, or one who is not responding normally, or a seizure;
  • a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under 3 months old, or below 36°C (96.8°F) at any age under 5;
  • a weak, high-pitched or non-stop cry, a baby who is not feeding, or no pee in 12 hours;
  • a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it, or a stiff neck (NHS, fever). Sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection, can look like several of these signs and develops over hours (NHS, sepsis);
  • yellow skin or eyes in a baby under 24 hours old, or jaundice with sleepiness, poor feeding, floppiness, fever or no wet diapers (NHS, jaundice);
  • a head injury with loss of consciousness, a seizure, a fall from more than 1 metre (about 3 feet) or 5 stairs, clear fluid from the ears or nose, or changed behavior. For a baby under 1 year old, any bruise, swelling or large cut on the head also counts (NHS, head injury);
  • choking or a baby who stops breathing: the NHS has first-aid pages for babies (NHS, first aid); a local infant first-aid class is worth taking early.

Possible poisoning (a swallowed medicine or chemical): call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (MedlinePlus). MBHA suggests 911 first if the baby is unresponsive or struggling to breathe.

Call the pediatrician the same day for a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher at 3 to 6 months, a fever lasting 5 days, a baby who will not eat or is not their usual self, or dehydration (NHS). MedlinePlus lists crying without tears, no wet diapers for 3 hours or more, unusual sleepiness and sunken eyes as signs of dehydration in babies (MedlinePlus). Trust your instincts. No herb, supplement, adjustment or massage treats any of these.

What this guide is — and isn’t

This guide is for parents and caregivers of newborns and babies under 12 months. It is a plain-English map of everyday baby care, not a pediatric textbook, and it does not replace your baby’s doctor. Many sources are from the UK’s NHS, so some medicine ages, phone numbers and routines differ from U.S. practice; ask your pediatrician. We list no doses. Fever, breathing trouble and bronchiolitis are covered in our RSV, Colds and Flu guides. See our Children guide.

The foundation: checkups, screening and vaccines

MedlinePlus advises asking your provider for help whenever you need it (MedlinePlus). Well-child visits also keep vaccines on schedule (CDC).

  • Newborn screening. Before leaving the hospital, babies have a heel-prick blood test for inherited disorders, a hearing test and a skin oxygen test that can flag a heart defect; tests vary by state. If a screen is positive, follow up quickly (MedlinePlus).
  • Vaccines. CDC’s birth-to-12-months schedule lists hepatitis B, rotavirus, DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, COVID-19 and flu vaccines, plus an RSV antibody that depends on the mother’s RSV vaccine status and the child’s health (CDC schedule). Recommendations change, so confirm the current schedule with your pediatrician. Side effects are usually minor, such as soreness or mild fever; serious ones are very rare, and many studies have found no link between childhood vaccines and autism (MedlinePlus). Vaccinated babies also have lower SIDS risk (NICHD). See our RSV guide for the antibody shots, and our Pregnancy guide for what comes before birth.

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) The foundation for every baby: well-baby visits, newborn screening, vaccines, weight checks, help with feeding, and evaluation of fever, jaundice, reflux, rashes or crying that does not fit colic. Cost estimate being researched. Most everyday problems — colic, spit-up, diaper rash, teething — improve with time and simple care. Fever in a young baby and breathing trouble need prompt care.
Chiropractic Gentle spinal or cranial manipulation is sometimes offered for colic, feeding and sleep problems. It has no role in fever, jaundice, breathing trouble or infection. About $90–$200 for a first visit and $55–$100 for follow-ups (general self-pay estimates, not infant-specific). Evidence for colic is mixed and low quality: a Cochrane review found promising but bias-prone results, and a later meta-analysis found no significant benefit. The NHS advises against it for colic. Serious harms are reported as rare.
Acupuncture Needle acupuncture has been studied for infant colic only. It is not a treatment for fever, jaundice, feeding or sleep problems. About $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90 (general adult estimates). A pooled analysis of three trials found no significant difference in crying by the end of treatment and concluded it should not be recommended for colic on a general basis; one later trial reported less crying.
Herbal medicine Gripe water, chamomile, fennel, teething gels and probiotics are marketed for colic and teething. The NHS does not recommend colic remedies, and FDA warns against some teething products. Cost estimate being researched. Fennel and one probiotic show some promise in small studies, but the evidence is limited. Use nothing without your pediatrician’s OK.
Massage therapy Gentle touch and infant massage as comfort and bonding. It does not treat illness. About $70–$90 a month at one national chain (Massage Envy) for adults; no infant-specific estimate found. NCCIH says massage may help weight gain in premature babies, but no clear benefit has been shown for healthy full-term infants. The risk of harm appears low.
MBHA Wellness Coach Routines, feeding and diaper logs, a safe-sleep checklist, building a support circle, keeping appointments, and checking in on parent mood and rest. Cost estimate being researched. Good habits make baby care steadier and help you spot trouble early, but a coach never replaces your baby’s doctor.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

For babies, conventional care is mostly prevention and watching: regular checkups, growth and feeding checks, screening, vaccines and prompt evaluation of anything worrying. For breastfeeding problems, MedlinePlus advises contacting a lactation consultant (MedlinePlus). Details are in the topic sections below.

  • Jaundice. Doctors measure bilirubin with a blood test or a light on the skin. When treatment is needed it is usually phototherapy, most babies needing around 48 hours (NHS).
  • Colic that may not be colic. A doctor checks for other causes, such as reflux, constipation or cow’s milk allergy (NHS, colic, NHS, reflux).
  • Skin. A pharmacist can suggest a barrier cream for diaper rash; a doctor may prescribe a steroid, antifungal or antibiotic cream (NHS).
  • Medicines. The NHS says not to give paracetamol (acetaminophen) under 2 months or ibuprofen under 3 months or under 5 kg, never to give aspirin to anyone under 16, and not to alternate the two unless a clinician says so (NHS, fever). Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist about ages and dosing first.
  • Vitamin D. CDC says breastfed babies need extra vitamin D starting at birth, and some may need iron (CDC).

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched. Ask your insurer or clinic about well-baby visits and vaccines.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Some chiropractors treat babies, mostly for colic, feeding or sleep complaints. Chiropractic has no role in fever, jaundice, breathing problems or infection, and it should never delay medical care for them.

What the research says

Almost all the research is on infant colic, and it is mixed and low in quality.

  • A 2012 Cochrane review of 6 trials (325 infants) of chiropractic, osteopathy and cranial manipulation found that five favored treatment, with about 1 hour 12 minutes less crying a day when pooled. But parents knew which babies were treated, and in the better-blinded trials the difference was not statistically significant. The authors could not reach a definitive conclusion (Cochrane review, 2012). We read the abstract.
  • A 2023 meta-analysis of five studies (422 babies) found osteopathy and chiropractic did not significantly reduce crying or increase sleep, with very low-quality evidence (meta-analysis, 2023).
  • A 2020 review of reviews found moderate-to-low-quality evidence that manual therapy reduced crying (review of reviews, 2020), and a 2023 meta-analysis of 27 trials reported favorable results for chiropractic and massage but called the evidence limited and low quality (meta-analysis, 2023). We read these abstracts too.

The NHS takes a firmer line: it advises against gentle pressure on a baby’s spine or skull for colic, saying there is little evidence it works and it may hurt (NHS, colic).

Safety

A literature review through 2014 found 15 serious adverse events in infants and children after chiropractic and other manual therapies: 3 deaths (under a physical therapist, a craniosacral therapist and an unknown practitioner) and 12 serious injuries, 7 of them under chiropractors. Most involved a pre-existing condition, and no deaths were linked to chiropractic care (review, 2015). A review of 50 pediatric manual-therapy studies found adverse events, where reported, were transient and mild to moderate (systematic review, 2019). NCCIH says serious problems from spinal manipulation are very rare but may be likelier with underlying health problems (NCCIH). If you try it, have a pediatrician examine your baby first.

What it costs

General self-pay estimates are about $90–$200 for a first visit and $55–$100 for follow-ups (The Pricer); that page is not specific to infants.

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is not a treatment for fever, jaundice, feeding or sleep problems in babies. The research is limited to infant colic, and the findings conflict.

What the research says

  • A 2018 analysis pooled individual data from three randomized trials (307 infants). Compared with no acupuncture, crying was about 25 minutes a day less midway through treatment, but not significantly different at the end of treatment or at 4 weeks, and the midway result disappeared when one apparently unblinded study was removed. In one trial, babies cried more during needling. The authors concluded needle acupuncture should not be recommended for colic on a general basis (individual-data meta-analysis, 2018). We read the abstract.
  • A separate 2017 trial (ACU-COL, 147 infants) found that minimal or individualized acupuncture, given by experienced nurses on top of extra support visits, reduced crying more than the extra support alone, with no serious adverse events (trial, 2017).
  • A 2019 overview of 16 systematic reviews concluded acupuncture is currently not recommended for colic (overview, 2019).

Safety

Relatively few complications are reported, but nonsterile needles and improper delivery have caused problems; FDA requires sterile, single-use needles (NCCIH). Don’t use acupuncture to postpone care for a sick baby.

What it costs

General private-session estimates are about $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics run about $50–$90 (The Pricer). These are not infant-specific.

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Herbal and supplement products are sold for colic, gas and teething. Babies are small and still developing, so MBHA suggests giving nothing by mouth beyond milk, formula and any vitamin drops your pediatrician advises without asking first. We list no doses.

Colic remedies: what the sources say

The NHS says anti-colic drops and herbal or probiotic supplements are not recommended and that there is no evidence they help (NHS, colic). Researchers see it a bit differently:

  • Chamomile. NCCIH notes chamomile is promoted for colic; products combining several herbs may have helped infants with colic, but chamomile alone has not been shown to. Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in people allergic to ragweed or daisies (NCCIH).
  • Fennel. A 2003 trial of 125 infants found a fennel seed oil emulsion relieved colic in 65% versus 24% on placebo, with no side effects reported (trial, 2003). A 2016 review of three fennel studies found about 72 fewer minutes of crying a day, with limitations (systematic review, 2016). A 2011 review called some results encouraging but said every trial had flaws (systematic review, 2011). We read the abstracts.
  • Probiotics. NCCIH describes a 2018 review of 7 studies (471 babies) in which L. reuteri DSM 17938 was linked to successful treatment (crying time cut by more than half), mainly in exclusively breastfed infants, with no harmful effects seen. It also notes FDA’s 2023 warning of severe, potentially fatal infections in premature infants given probiotics (NCCIH).
  • Diet changes. A Cochrane review of 15 small, high-risk trials could not recommend any dietary change for colic (Cochrane review, 2018).

Gripe water and teething products

In October 2026 a company recalled one lot of baby gripe water after FDA testing found undeclared ethanol, methanol and isopropanol; the notice says infant ethanol exposure has been linked to long-term developmental consequences (FDA recall). A 2025 FDA warning letter said another gripe water maker had received reports of infants choking, stopping breathing and being hospitalized and had not reported them as required (FDA warning letter); reports are not proof of cause.

For teething, FDA warns that gels, creams and homeopathic tablets with benzocaine or lidocaine can be dangerous and even fatal for children, and it reports deaths and injuries, including strangulation and choking, from amber teething necklaces and other jewelry (FDA). The NHS does not recommend homeopathic teething products (NHS).

Honey is not an option in home remedies: never give it before 12 months, because it can cause infant botulism (CDC, NHS).

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Gentle touch is part of normal baby care. Massage is not a treatment for illness, but many families find it soothing, and it is a low-risk way to bond.

What the research says

  • NCCIH reports that premature babies who are massaged may gain weight better, and that a review of 34 studies of healthy full-term infants found no clear benefit (NCCIH).
  • A 2013 Cochrane review of 34 studies (20 at high risk of bias) of massage in healthy babies under 6 months found some positive results, such as sleep and less crying, but many did not hold up when high-risk studies were removed; the authors said the findings did not support its use in low-risk groups (Cochrane review, 2013). A 2015 review likewise found not enough evidence, though massage may be considered case by case (review, 2015).
  • A 2025 randomized trial found colic massage reduced symptoms more than kangaroo care or no treatment (trial, 2025); we read only the abstract, and one trial does not settle the question.

Practical tips and safety

The NHS says bath time is a good time to massage your baby, which can help them relax and sleep, and to check that any oil or lotion is suitable for babies (NHS). It suggests lightly massaging an emollient or coconut oil into cradle cap, but not olive or peanut oil (NHS, cradle cap). Chest physiotherapy for a baby with bronchiolitis is a hospital therapy, not home massage; see our RSV guide. The risk of harm from massage appears low, though rare serious problems have been reported, some with vigorous massage (NCCIH).

What it costs

For adults, one national chain, Massage Envy, charges about $70–$90 a month for a membership with one 60-minute session a month and a 12-month initial term; rates vary by location (The Pricer). Infant massage class costs: estimate being researched.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach is not a medical provider and cannot diagnose or treat a baby. A coach can help caregivers build routines, stay organized and look after themselves.

Ways a coach can help

  • Simple logs. A short record of feeds, wet and dirty diapers, sleep and crying can help your pediatrician see patterns; the NHS suggests recording when and how often the baby cries (NHS, crying), and counting wet diapers is one way to tell whether a baby is feeding enough (NHS).
  • A safe-sleep checklist for the crib and grandparents’ homes, and tracking checkups and vaccines, with CDC’s milestone checklists in hand (CDC).
  • Rest and support. The NHS suggests sleeping when the baby sleeps, sharing night feeds or early-morning care with a partner, or asking a friend or relative to stay a few days (NHS).
  • A crying plan. If you reach your limit, the NHS says to put the baby somewhere safe, close the door, step away for a set time such as 10 minutes, and never shake a baby (NHS).
  • Mood check-ins. A coach can notice when low mood is lasting and help you reach a provider.

Another approach

Feeding: breast milk, formula and first foods

Breastfeeding

The Dietary Guidelines, AAP and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months, then adding solid foods while breastfeeding continues to age 2 or beyond. CDC links breastfeeding to lower baby risks of asthma, ear infections, severe lower respiratory disease, SIDS and stomach infections (CDC). Some medicines, drugs and alcohol can pass through milk, so ask your provider (MedlinePlus).

  • The first days. The first milk, colostrum, is concentrated, so small amounts are enough. Babies may feed every 1 to 3 hours at first, at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, and you cannot overfeed a breastfed baby. Early hunger cues are restlessness, sucking fists, or turning the head and opening the mouth; crying is a late sign (NHS).
  • Enough milk? Signs include rhythmic sucking and swallowing, a content baby, steady weight gain after the first 3 to 4 days, and from day 5 at least 6 heavy wet diapers a day (NHS). If you worry, ask for help early.

Formula

Infant formulas are available for babies whose mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed (MedlinePlus). CDC stresses following the formula instructions carefully and keeping surfaces and feeding items clean to prevent Cronobacter infection (CDC). The NHS adds: use the scoop that comes with the tin and the label amounts, because extra powder can cause constipation or dehydration; never add sugar or cereal; never warm a bottle in the microwave; make feeds one at a time and throw away leftovers (NHS, making up formula). Never prop a bottle (NHS, bottle feeding). Water-preparation steps differ by country, so ask your pediatrician what to follow.

Starting solids

Most babies are ready around 6 months: they sit with a steady head, coordinate eyes, hands and mouth, and swallow food rather than spit it out (NHS). Introduce one new food at a time; most babies can have peanut products around 6 months, but check with the provider first if your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy (MedlinePlus). See our Allergies and Eczema guides.

What to avoid in the first year

Another approach

Safe sleep and SIDS

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the sudden, unexpected death of a baby under 1; SIDS is one type, along with accidental suffocation in a sleep setting. CDC reported about 3,400 such deaths in the U.S. in 2024 (CDC). The cause of SIDS is unknown, but most cases happen between 1 and 4 months (MedlinePlus) and the steps below lower the risk. They apply to every sleep, including naps, and to every caregiver.

  • Back to sleep, every time, until age 1, including preterm babies and babies with reflux. Side sleeping is not safe, and putting a baby who usually sleeps on their back onto the stomach for a nap raises SIDS risk by up to 45 times. Babies on their backs do not choke on spit-up (NICHD Safe to Sleep).
  • Firm, flat, level surface with only a fitted sheet, in a crib, bassinet or play yard that meets safety standards. No pillows, blankets, bumpers, positioners or toys, and never an adult bed, couch or armchair or an inclined sleeper. Move a baby who falls asleep in a car seat or carrier to a flat surface once you arrive (NICHD, NICHD, reducing risk).
  • Share a room, not a bed, for at least the first 6 months, with the baby in their own sleep space. Bed-sharing is especially risky if the baby is under 4 months or premature, the adult smokes or is drowsy or has used alcohol, or the surface is soft (NICHD, risk factors). If you fall asleep feeding in bed, return the baby to their own space as soon as you wake (NICHD).
  • Keep baby cool and smoke-free. Dress the baby for the room, use a wearable blanket rather than loose bedding, and watch for sweating or a hot chest (CDC). Keep your baby’s surroundings smoke- and vape-free. Offer a pacifier at sleep once breastfeeding is going well (NICHD).
  • Skip the gadgets. Heart and breathing monitors are not effective at detecting or preventing SIDS, and no product can prevent it. Swaddling does not lower SIDS risk and should stop when a baby starts to roll, usually around 3 months (NICHD).
  • Tummy time while awake and watched can start a day or two after birth. It builds neck and arm strength and helps prevent flat spots, though it does not directly reduce SIDS risk (NICHD).

Newborns can sleep around 18 hours a day in short stretches, and every baby’s pattern is different (NHS).

Another approach

Crying, colic and spit-up

All babies cry, for reasons from hunger and a dirty diaper to tiredness, wind or overstimulation. Crying typically increases from around 2 weeks, eases around 3 months, and is often worst in the late afternoon and evening (NHS, crying).

Colic means a healthy baby crying more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least a week. It usually starts at a few weeks and ends by 3 to 4 months, and no one knows exactly what causes it (NHS, colic). Call the pediatrician if you are worried, nothing works, you are struggling to cope, the baby is not growing as expected, or colic lasts past 4 months. A weak, high-pitched cry, or one unlike your baby’s usual cry, is an emergency (NHS).

What helps

Crying during feeds can mean a latch problem or reflux (NHS). Remedies are reviewed in the Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Herbs sections.

Spit-up and reflux

Bringing up some milk is very common and usually improves on its own; it generally starts before 8 weeks and eases by age 1. If the baby is happy, healthy and gaining weight, no treatment is usually needed. Hold the baby upright during and after feeds, burp often, keep sleeping flat on the back, and don’t raise the crib head. See a doctor urgently for green, yellow or bloody vomit, forceful vomiting, a swollen belly, refusing to feed or poor weight gain (NHS, reflux). For adults, see Acid Reflux. For constipation, the NHS says to talk to a doctor if a baby under 8 weeks has not pooed for 2 to 3 days (NHS).

Another approach

Fever and jaundice

Fever

A fever is a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher; it is the body’s response to infection and can follow vaccines (NHS, taking a temperature). A fever in a baby under 3 months old is an emergency. A temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher at 3 to 6 months, a rash, a fever lasting 5 days, poor feeding or dehydration need a same-day call (NHS, fever); the NHS excludes the 3-to-6-month threshold when the baby had a vaccine in the past 2 days (NHS).

  • Taking a temperature: the NHS recommends a digital thermometer under the armpit for children under 5, and warns that forehead strips are inaccurate and mercury thermometers should never be used (NHS). Ask your pediatrician which method they prefer.
  • At home (older babies): offer plenty of fluids, keep breastfeeding, check on the baby through the night, and don’t undress, sponge or overdress them. Never give aspirin (NHS).

Colds and bronchiolitis are in our Colds and RSV guides.

Newborn jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes is common, usually most noticeable around day 3 and clearing in about 2 weeks. It happens when a newborn’s liver is not yet clearing bilirubin well. The color may be harder to see on brown or black skin. Feeding 8 to 12 times a day helps, and a sleepy baby should be woken for feeds. Get an urgent appointment if jaundice appears after 24 hours, is not improving or is worsening, or comes with dark yellow or brown pee or pale poo (NHS, jaundice).

Another approach

Skin, bathing and teething

Diaper rash, cradle cap and baths

Diaper rash is common and usually treatable at home: change diapers quickly, clean with water or fragrance-free, alcohol-free wipes, let the skin air-dry, and avoid soap, bubble bath, talcum powder and tight diapers. See a doctor if it spreads, worsens, comes with fever, or the baby seems very uncomfortable (NHS). Thrush can cause it; see Candida. Cradle cap, greasy scaly patches on the scalp, is harmless, not itchy, not contagious, and usually clears in a few months (NHS, cradle cap). You don’t need to bathe a baby every day. Never leave a baby alone in the bath, even for a second, check the water with your wrist or elbow, and skip bath seats (NHS, bathing).

Teething

Most babies start around 6 months, though some start before 4 months or after 12 (NHS, teething symptoms); FDA gives 4 to 7 months (FDA). Signs can include sore red gums, drooling, chewing and fussiness, and a temperature under 38°C; the NHS says there is no evidence teething causes diarrhea (NHS). For comfort, use a clean finger on the gums or a firm rubber teething ring, chilled but never frozen and never tied around the neck; the NHS suggests avoiding sugary rusks (NHS). FDA says to avoid benzocaine, lidocaine and homeopathic products (FDA). Ask your dentist or pediatrician about toothpaste once the first tooth appears.

Another approach

Development and milestones

Babies develop at different rates, and MedlinePlus notes a wide range is normal; talk to your provider if you are worried (MedlinePlus). CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program offers milestone checklists for ages 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months and beyond, online and in a Milestone Tracker app (CDC). Examples:

CDC says to act early if your child is missing one or more milestones, has lost skills, or you have other concerns: tell the doctor, ask about developmental screening, and if worries persist ask for a specialist referral and your state’s early intervention program. The AAP recommends general developmental screening at 9, 18 and 30 months (CDC). See our Developmental Disabilities and Autism guides.

Another approach

Caring for the caregiver

Looking after a baby is tiring. “Baby blues” — mild mood swings, worry and exhaustion — are common in the first 2 weeks. Mood changes that are severe or last longer than 2 weeks may be postpartum depression, which generally does not improve without treatment (NIMH). CDC reports about 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth had symptoms, and that depression is treatable (CDC).

  • Signs include a persistent sad, anxious or empty mood, hopelessness, guilt, loss of interest, trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps, trouble bonding with the baby, and doubts about caring for the baby (NIMH).
  • Treatment is usually therapy, medication or both; start by talking to a provider, and say if you are breastfeeding (CDC).
  • Get help now: call or text 988, or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262); call 911 in an emergency (CDC). Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, or hallucinations or confusion after birth (postpartum psychosis), are emergencies (NIMH, emergency signs).

See also our Depression and Anxiety guides.

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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