Some people with postpartum depression (PPD) — a type of depression that’s diagnosed in around 1 in 8 women who’ve recently had a baby, according to March of Dimes — turn to alcohol in hopes of escaping sadness, heavy feelings of guilt, sleeplessness, and other symptoms associated with the condition.

Turning to drinking can be a coping mechanism in all people at risk of developing postpartum depression: new mothers, trans and nonbinary birthing people, as well as cisgender fathers and other non-birthing parents. PPD can develop at any time within the first year following childbirth, and, if left untreated, may last for years.

However, drinking is an ineffective self-treatment measure that can be dangerous to both you and your baby. If you’re struggling with this life adjustment and you keep trying to find comfort in drinking — or if someone in your life is — help is available.

In this article, we explore the relationship between alcohol use and postpartum depression and share resources that can help.

Does Drinking Cause Postpartum Depression?

Excessive alcohol use is associated with other forms of depression, but the connection between alcohol use prior to pregnancy and postpartum depression is not very clear.

Some researchers argue that postpartum depression occurs more frequently among people with prior substance use (alcohol or drug use) disorders. However, a 2022 study found that prepregnancy drinking habits aren’t associated with postpartum depression six weeks after childbirth.

There is evidence that drinking alcohol while already pregnant could contribute to PPD. A large study involving more than 50,000 women showed that maternal alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of developing PPD.

The association between alcohol use and PPD goes both ways, which makes it difficult to definitively determine if one causes the other. Symptoms of postpartum depression are shown to be common among those who use substances — including alcohol — in the postpartum period. That said, some people turn to alcohol in order to cope with PPD symptoms, sometimes not even realizing it’s PPD.

How Do You Know It’s Postpartum Depression?

Some people may think their low mood is just “baby blues.” However, if your feelings of sadness last longer than two weeks, you may be experiencing PPD. Some signs and symptoms of PPD include:

• Sadness or anxiety experienced for a larger part of the day, almost every day, for at least two weeks
• Feelings of hopelessness, irritability, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, and frustration
• Loss of interest in everyday activities
• Abnormal tiredness or restlessness
• Brain fog and difficulty making decisions
• Inability to sleep or oversleeping
• Trouble bonding with your baby
• Thoughts of dying or of harming the baby

If these symptoms seem familiar, then you may be experiencing PPD. It’s important to speak with your primary care provider, OB-GYN, or midwife, even if you don’t drink alcohol to make yourself feel better.

The Risks of Drinking in the Postpartum Period

Drinking alcohol in order to cope with unpleasant feelings is not a good idea, especially with a new baby. While it may provide some temporary comfort initially, it can ultimately make you feel even worse, and over time it can cause other health issues.

Safety Concerns

Using alcohol puts you at an increased risk of accidental injuries and may lead to impulsive and poor decisions. This may hamper your ability to take care of your baby safely. Also, if you’re experiencing thoughts of harming your baby, drinking might fuel these ideas.

Breastfeeding and Alcohol

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), consuming one drink per day while nursing is unlikely to be harmful to the baby if it’s been consumed two hours or more prior to the feeding.

However, if you find it difficult to control yourself, it’s best to hold back from drinking. The more you drink, the longer alcohol will linger in your breast milk. If you often feed your baby while alcohol is still present in the milk, eventually, it may disturb their sleep patterns or even lead to development problems. Staying away from alcohol entirely is the safest choice.

Additionally, having more than one drink per day while breastfeeding might interfere with the normal milk letdown reflex, while excessive drinking may decrease milk production and lead you to stop breastfeeding early.

Alcohol and Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Antidepressants (medications often prescribed for treating depression) and alcohol do not go well together. Alcohol may decrease their effectiveness and increase your chance of experiencing unpleasant side effects.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Sometimes, it may be difficult to tell the difference between simply wanting to have a glass of wine with your friends and behaviors that tend toward alcohol abuse. Signs of an alcohol use disorder include:

• Being unable to stop drinking despite wanting or trying to
• Building up tolerance to alcohol
• Drinking more or for a longer time than intended
• Feeling an intense urge to drink
• Skipping other activities in order to drink
• Getting into dangerous situations while drunk
• Having withdrawal symptoms when the alcohol wears off
• Noticing that drinking interferes with relationships with family members or the ability to work

If you or your loved one shows two or more of these signs and symptoms, it may be a cause for concern.

Help for Alcohol Abuse

If your drinking is becoming a problem, don’t let yourself spiral into self-judgment and hate. Alcohol abuse isn’t merely a choice — several factors, including genetics, may contribute to the development of the disease.

If you think you might have an alcohol use problem, see your healthcare provider or a mental health professional for evaluation. Understandably, you may feel reluctant to tell a doctor about it, but, the sooner you do, the better. There is treatment for both alcohol abuse and PPD.

If you suspect that a loved one who’s recently become a new parent may be struggling with drinking, consider a gentle, nonjudgmental intervention. Offering your support will help them find the strength to seek help during this difficult time.

If you live in the U.S., the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a 24/7, 365-day-a-year National Helpline for people struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. The treatment referral and information service, operating both in English and Spanish, can be reached by calling 800-662-HELP (4357). You can find more information on their website.

If you’re in need of urgent help, call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for a free and confidential chat with a counselor.

The following hotlines are also available to help with PPD:

• Call or text 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262) for the National Maternal Health Hotline. You can gain free access to professional counselors anytime.
• Call or text 800-944-4PPD (800-944-4773) for Postpartum Support International, which offers support in English or Spanish.

Find Your Team

MyDepressionTeam is the social network for people living with all types of depression, including postpartum depression, and their loved ones. Members come together to ask questions, offer support and advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with PPD.

Did you know about the risk factors for postpartum depression before your baby was born? Do you have any advice for others managing these risks? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.