How to Tell the Difference Between New Mom Worry and Postpartum Anxiety.
Takeaway: Many new moms feel overwhelmed after bringing a baby home, but if your worries are constant or interfering with daily life, you might be experiencing postpartum anxiety. Learn how to recognize the signs of postpartum anxiety in new moms, when to seek help, and how maternal mental health therapy can support you in feeling like yourself again.
Why Does No One Talk About Postpartum Anxiety?
After having a baby, it’s expected that you’ll feel tired, protective, or even unsure—but many women experience something deeper that often isn’t openly talked about: Postpartum Anxiety. If you’re searching for “is my new mom anxiety normal?” or “why is postpartum anxiety overlooked?”, you’re not alone.
As a maternal mental health therapist in Washington —and a mom—I’ve seen how confusing it can be to figure out what’s normal and what’s not in early motherhood. That confusion is exactly why I do this work.
Unlike the more widely known Postpartum Depression, PPA is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. Because PPA is less visible, women often keep their experiences hidden—worried they'll be seen as too anxious or not “doing motherhood right.”
“Is This Just New Mom Worry?” What I Hear from Moms Every Day
As a therapist, I hear some version of this from new moms who are wondering if they have postpartum anxiety or if they are “just” a nervous new mom:
“I feel like I can’t relax unless I’m watching the baby sleep.”
“If I’m not researching, I feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
“I cry at night because I don’t know if I’m doing this right.”
These moms aren't “just tired.” They're overwhelmed, wired, and emotionally flooded—often due to internal pressure to be perfect or a sense that something could go horribly wrong at any moment.
That’s not just new mom worry. That’s Postpartum Anxiety.
The Difference Between Adjustment and Anxiety
Let’s be clear: Feeling worried when you’re learning to care for a newborn is completely normal. We call that “adjustment stress” or “new mom jitters.” If you’re wondering “how to tell if you have postpartum anxiety,” here’s what to look for:
A Quick Way to Tell the Difference
Understanding whether what you're experiencing is just normal new mom jitters or something more serious like postpartum anxiety can be confusing. Both involve worry, but the intensity, duration, and impact on your daily life are very different.
Adjustment Jitters ( “Normal” New Mom Worry)
You have questions about your baby’s health or development, but feel reassured once you gather information.
Moments of overwhelm come and go, and don’t stick around all day.
Even when you’re nervous, you feel like you’re doing okay or moving in the right direction.
These are the kinds of thoughts and feelings that ease with reassurance and don’t interfere with your ability to rest, connect, or function.
Postpartum Anxiety (More Than New Parent Worry)
You feel constantly on edge, like something bad could happen at any moment—even when your baby is fine.
You can't sleep even when you’re exhausted, and your body feels tense or wired most of the day.
You question every decision and often feel like you’re failing, even when others tell you you’re doing a good job.
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety don’t lift with reassurance—and they often interfere with sleep, decision-making, and your ability to feel like you’re a good mom. And If you’re searching for “signs you might have postpartum anxiety” or “when to seek therapy for postpartum anxiety,” these are important clues.
My Personal Story: What Postpartum Anxiety Felt Like for Me
Even as a therapist who specializes in postpartum anxiety, it took me time to see what was happening.
The biggest outward sign of my anxiety was weight loss. I wasn’t trying to lose weight—I just couldn’t eat. I felt too nervous to feel hungry, and no one asked if it might be anxiety. Instead, I was complimented for “losing the baby weight” quickly.
Inwardly, my PPA looked like trying to control everything around me to keep the anxiety in check. I became hyper-organized, didn’t leave my son with anyone (not even Grandma!), and obsessed over doing everything “right.” I spent hours researching baby development, limited visitors, and filled my time with scrolling and online shopping instead of resting.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. You can read my full PPA story here.
Simple Tools That Actually Help Postpartum Anxiety Feel Less Overwhelming
When you’re in the thick of postpartum anxiety, it’s easy to assume that things won’t get better unless you make big, dramatic changes. But what I’ve found—as a therapist and a mom—is that the smallest tools are often the most powerful
Nervous System Regulation Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated.
In therapy for postpartum anxiety, we don’t just talk about the anxiety. We learn ways to regulate your nervous system and quiet the internal alarm bells that keep going off. These strategies don’t require a lot of time or money. They’re often small moments of calm that remind your body you’re safe.
Here are a few of the tools I teach (and use myself):
Singing or humming. I used to sing You Are My Sunshine to my son—not because I felt joyful, but because it grounded me. It slowed my breathing and calmed my body.
Ice cube in hand. Holding something cold brings you back to the present. It interrupts anxious spirals and helps you reconnect to your body.
Step outside. Even a minute outside—barefoot in grass or standing in sunlight—can calm your nervous system and shift your state. Bonus if you’re barefoot!
If you’re searching for “tools for coping with postpartum anxiety” or “ways to manage new mom anxiety at home,” these are gentle, effective places to start. These tools aren’t about “fixing” you. They’re simple reminders to your nervous system: You’re doing your best. You’re safe. You’re not alone.
You’re Not Alone—and You Deserve Support
If you think you might be dealing with Postpartum Anxiety, I want you to know that this isn’t your fault—you’re going through something that so many moms experience, even if they aren’t openly talking about it. You deserve support, and women who access support (including postpartum anxiety therapy) often feel better quickly.
Looking for Postpartum Anxiety Therapy in Washington?
If you’re in Washington State and looking for a therapist who truly understands what you’re going through as a new mom, I’d love to connect. I provide online therapy for moms across Washington State, including Bainbridge Island, Seattle, Bellevue, and surrounding areas.
Get in touch to learn more about postpartum anxiety counseling with me and see if my care is a good fit for you.
💌 Not ready for therapy? Join my newsletter, Through Thick and Thin, for monthly insights, support, and encouragement made just for moms navigating the early years of motherhood.
Takeway: If your new mom worries feel overwhelming or are interfering with your daily life, you are not alone—and you don’t have to manage it by yourself. Support is available, and reaching out is the first step toward feeling better.
MEET THE AUTHORHi, I’m Dr. Julie Franks.
Dr. Julie is a licensed perinatal and maternal mental health therapist based in Washington State, specializing in postpartum anxiety counseling. She deeply believes that every mother deserves support—because no one was meant to go through motherhood alone. At her practice, Nurturing the Sisterhood, she creates a safe, compassionate space where women feel truly seen, heard, and supported. She proudly serves women throughout the greater Seattle area, the Kitsap Peninsula, and across Washington State.
