Moderate exercise may limit 'baby blues' for new mothers

Doing more than an hour of moderate intensity exercise a week may reduce the severity of "baby blues" and almost halve the risk of new mothers developing major clinical depression, the largest analysis of evidence suggests.

- Andrew Gregory

The research team in Canada acknowledged that finding the time would not be easy and recovery from childbirth should be prioritised. New mums could restart exercise with "gentle" walks and increase to "moderate" activity when ready. This activity could include brisk walking, water aerobics, stationary cycling or resistance training.