Mom Put Baby in the Fridge — The Silent Struggle of Postpartum Depression Few Talk About

A shocking story from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, recently left everyone disturbed. A 23-year-old mother who had just given birth two weeks ago, put her baby inside the refrigerator because he wasn’t sleeping. She then went to sleep herself. However, the baby was rescued in time by his grandmother.

When the mom was asked about it, she simply said: “He wasn’t sleeping, so I kept him in the fridge.”

Initially, her family thought she was under the influence of evil forces. But doctors had something else to say. She was suffering from postpartum psychosis. It is a severe form of postpartum depression.

Motherhood Is Not Always Joyful

The ads often show new mothers glowing with happiness and cuddling their babies. But the reality is not the same for all women. After childbirth, a woman’s body and mind go through massive changes. The sleepless nights and the pressure to be the perfect mom become unbearable at times.

Most women experience the baby blues, where they feel anxious and emotional for a few days. But for some, it turns into something much more serious, known as postpartum depression. And in very rare cases, it can become postpartum psychosis. In such cases, the mother may act in weird ways.

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Why Did This Happen Here?

This young mother had barely slept since her delivery. She was exhausted and alone. Without rest and support, her mind couldn’t cope.

And instead of understanding the mom, her family assumed something supernatural was happening with her. She was ill. Her mind was breaking under pressure.

What Postpartum Depression Looks Like

Postpartum depression has always been there but nobody spoke about it. You cannot spot it like other illnesses, but some signs are similar to

·       Feeling sad or hopeless most of the time

·       Difficulty bonding with the baby

·       Constant exhaustion or sleeplessness

·       Sudden mood swings

·       Feeling guilty for being a bad mother

Why We Need to Talk About Postpartum Depression

In India, mental health is still surrounded by stigma. Families often dismiss a mother’s struggles as normal. Instead of medical care, women are told to hide their feelings.

But postpartum depression is not something to be ashamed of. It’s just a health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure that needs treatment.

How We Can Support New Mothers

Sometimes, a mother just needs someone to hear her pain. Just be there for her. Help her do the chores as her body needs rest. And remember, baby care is not just mom’s duty. Every family member needs to take responsibility equally.

Postpartum depression is real. Postpartum psychosis is real. And both are treatable if caught early.

This tragic story from Uttar Pradesh is a wake-up call for families and society to support mothers better.