By Katlyn Fry

After your niece or nephew was born, you may have noticed a change in their mom's mood. It's not surprising to hear that she may be suffering from postpartum depression. But when your brother, brother-in-law, or close guy friend acts differently during that baby’s first year, we may wonder what’s going on. After all, his hormones should not have changed; he didn't just give birth. Well, according to a new study, new fathers can also be dealing with a form of postpartum depression, depending on their testosterone levels.

And, depending on whether those testosterone levels are low or high, his mood change may have an effect on their relationship.  

University of Southern California researchers examined 149 new parent couples from Lake County, Illinois by visiting the families two months after the baby was born, then nine months, and finally, fifteen months. Researchers discovered that during the nine-month visit, when the new dads' testosterone levels were measured, some had lower-than normal testosterone levels, while some had higher than normal levels. They also found a direct correlation between symptoms of depression between the new dads and the baby's mom.

For dads, lower testosterone levels meant heightened depressive symptoms. And if their partner also demonstrated lower-testosterone level, they "reported greater satisfaction with their relationship, which in turn helped reduce their depressive symptoms.” Basically, the greater the possibility of depression in your brother, brother-in-law, or friend, the lesser the severity of postpartum depression in the new mom.

On the flip side, new dads who had higher testosterone levels reported more new parenting stress. In turn their partner reported more “relationship aggression” and more symptoms of depression.

See also: Postpartum Papas?

If your brother, brother-in-law, or close guy friend is exhibiting depressive symptoms, you can at least assure them, and the new mom, that it’s normal. Darby Saxbe, lead researcher, explains that a man’s emotional response to becoming a father is a real condition that might be linked to hormones and biology” and is a “normal and natural adaptation to parenthood.” Saxbe says that just knowing this may give couples peace-of-mind during their first few months of parenthood.

If you suspect your baby niece’s or nephew’s mom or dad may be suffering from postpartum depression, Saxbe recommends they seek support and care. “Talk therapy can help dads -- or moms -- gain insight into their emotions and find better strategies for managing their moods,” she says.

If your niece’s and nephew’s household is stressful, it can directly affect the baby. Studies have shown that babies and children take in the anxiety emanating from one or both parents. Offering one or both parents a break by taking care of your baby niece or nephew so the parents can rest, or by offering to take the baby for a day or night to spend QualAntie Time with their Savvy Auntie, will go a long way for both parents and of course, your new baby niece or nephew.

If you’re unable to be there, send each parent a gift certificate for a massage, offer to pay for a babysitter so they can take a day or evening off, or send some bath salts, aromatherapy candles, and other soothing things to help bring a greater sense of calm to the home


University of Southern California. "Swings in dad's testosterone affects the family -- for better or worse -- after baby arrives." ScienceDaily. 5 September 2017

Photo: monkeybusinessimages