Dani Dyer reveals postnatal depression fears after low moods following the birth of her son

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‘I had a couple of days of just really not feeling me’: Dani Dyer reveals postnatal depression fears after low moods following the birth of her son

By Lydia Spencer-elliott For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Dani Dyer has revealed that she experienced postnatal depression fears after suffering with low moods following the birth of her son Santiago. 

The new mum, 24, welcomed her baby boy in January with her stockbroker boyfriend Sammy Kimmence, 24. 

Speaking on her podcast Sorted with the Dyers on Thursday, she said: ‘I think when you’ve just had a baby you really start worrying, thinking, “Am I suffering with a bit of postnatal depression?”‘  

Concerned: Dani Dyer has revealed that she experienced postnatal depression fears after suffering with low moods following the birth of her son Santiago 

On the show, which she shares with her father Danny Dyer, 43, Dani said that this winter had been ‘awful’.  

The Love Island star explained: ‘The other day I was really struggling, I had a couple of days where I made a shepherd’s pie but I just felt so down, 

A common problem, post natal depression affects more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth, according to the NHS. 

Cute:u00A0The new mum welcomed her baby boy in January with her stockbroker boyfriend Sammy Kimmence

Cute: The new mum welcomed her baby boy in January with her stockbroker boyfriend Sammy Kimmence 

Dani continued: ‘I know this sounds weird but I made the shepherd’s pie but it was like I wasn’t making it.

‘I had a couple of days of just really not feeling me and then I went on a walk and I felt back to myself. I felt so low.’  

And the new arrival has been an emotional experience for the entire Dyer family.  

The reality star also revealed on Thursday that her co-host and father couldn’t stop crying after baby Santiago was born. 

Confusing: Dani revealed that 'when you've just had a baby you really start worrying' about post natal depression

Confusing: Dani revealed that ‘when you’ve just had a baby you really start worrying’ about post natal depression 

Speaking on the Made By Mammas podcast she said: ‘My dad didn’t realise [he would be so emotional about being a granddad]. ‘He has been so emotional around Santiago, the other day he was really crying,

‘He went: “I love babies, but your baby. I have never felt anything like it. I didn’t think I’d feel like this”.   

‘He hasn’t experienced being a grandad yet, I made him a first time grandad. It has hit him more now.  

‘He did see me pregnant and getting bigger but seeing me with the baby, it’s like, “this is real now”.’  

Tough: Speaking on the podcast Sorted with the Dyers, which she shares with her father Danny Dyer, Dani said that this winter had been 'awful'

Tough: Speaking on the podcast Sorted with the Dyers, which she shares with her father Danny Dyer, Dani said that this winter had been ‘awful’ 

According to Dani, she decided to keep her pregnancy to herself until the scan when she revealed the exciting news to her father.  

She added: ‘I think sometimes you talk about planning for a baby, but I am always quite secretive and keep things to myself.

‘It wasn’t that we weren’t planning, I didn’t want to tell my mum straight away but I did. I didn’t want to tell dad until the scan.’   

Overwhelming: And the new arrival has been an emotional experience for the entire Dyer family as Dani also revealed that her ather couldn't stop crying after Santi was born

Overwhelming: And the new arrival has been an emotional experience for the entire Dyer family as Dani also revealed that her ather couldn’t stop crying after Santi was born

WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION?

Postnatal depression is a form of the mental-health condition that affects more than one in 10 women in the UK and US within a year of giving birth.

As many men can be affected as women, research suggests.  

Many parents feel down, teary and anxious within the first two weeks of having a child, which is often called the ‘baby blues’.

But if symptoms start later or last longer, they may be suffering from postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression is just as serious as others form of the mental-health disorder. 

Symptoms include:

  • Persistent sadness
  • Lack of enjoyment or interest in the wider world
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Struggling to bond with your baby
  • Withdrawing from others
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Frightening thoughts, such as hurting your baby

Sufferers should not wait for their symptoms to just go away.

Instead they should recognise that it is not their fault they are depressed and it does not make them a bad parent.

If you or your partner may be suffering, talk to your GP or health visitor.

Treatments can include self-help, such as talking to loved ones, resting when you can and making time to do things you enjoy. Therapy may also be prescribed. 

In severe cases where other options have not helped, antidepressants may be recommended. Doctors will prescribe ones that are safe to take while breastfeeding.

Postnatal depression’s cause is unclear, however, it is more common in those with a history of mental-health problems. 

Lack of support from loved ones, a poor relationship with the partner and a life-changing event, such as bereavement, can also raise the risk. 

Source: NHS