Maternal Mental Health Resources

It's easy to think you're the only one struggling to keep it together when we're all fed a steady stream of our friends' "perfect" lives and photogenic children via social media. The truth is that yes, there are some women (and dads) who don't get as ruffled by the stresses of parenthood, but the vast majority of us are right there with you trying not to fall apart. Once you've been in the trenches a few years, you start to realize this and you wonder why you didn't reach out for help sooner.

Estimates show that up to 20% of women experience prenatal or postpartum depression. Anxiety is common, too—and how could it not be, when you're suddenly in charge of a tiny human's life? And by the way, this isn't just about first-time parents: Second-time (or third or fourth time) moms are often going through a similar slew of emotions. An OB is often the first to diagnose PPD or a related mental health concern, but there are many other resources, too. Here are a few in the New York area:

The Seleni Institute, a non-profit support organization for expecting and new parents, offers group and individual therapy along with a suite of postpartum services including support groups and workshops, and community events.

The brand-new Motherhood Center in Kips Bay offers counseling, support groups, and programs for both expecting and postpartum moms. Join a new moms support group (morning and evening sessions are available), take a breastfeeding or fitness workshop, or take advantage of their Motherhood Day Program, a day-long care and treatment program for new moms.

The Women's Program at Columbia University's Department of Psychiatry also offers therapists (call for a referral).

Premier Pediatrics in Manhattan and Brooklyn offers a suite of workshops and programs specifically for new parents, including "Beyond the Baby Blues," a support group for new moms with a licensed social worker, as part of its "The First Month" program for parents.

Brooklyn moms might check out the weekly Brooklyn Postpartum Depression Support Group, or Cobble Hill Counseling, which specializes in therapy for pregnant moms and new parents.

Use the Postpartum Resource Center of New York to find a therapist or psychologist near you by zip code, or call them for FREE support on the phone at (631) 422-2255.

Also, check out Psychology Today's directory of NYC counselors.

Don't be afraid to put those well-meaning but often clueless friends, neighbors, and family to work when they ask, "How can I help?" Dispatch them to the laundromat, the grocery store, and other errands. Park your mother-in-law or single friend in your living room while the baby naps while you go out to get coffee...alone...or get your toes done, or just wander aimlessly around the city. It's OK! You deserve a break! You will be a better parent with breaks.

RELATED: 12 Things to Do with Your NYC Baby Before They Turn 1

Lactation consultants can assist with breastfeeding and pumping. Photo by Jonica Moore Studio/courtesy of Baby Caravan.

Breastfeeding Support

Is your baby not latching? Or latching in a painful way? Are you not sure how you feel about this breastfeeding thing or just want to chat with other moms about it? Head to a FREE La Leche League meeting where an expert is always on hand to correct form, offer support, and even weigh your babe pre- and post-feed (membership encouraged to support volunteers).

Many of the La Leche meetings are hosted at local gathering spots, including NYC maternity stores or other venues with kid or mom services. Yummy Mummy on the Upper East Side, and Wild Was Mama in Brooklyn host breastfeeding support circles and other new mom events. Bonus: You can snag nursing bras at these spots, plus all the accessories you never knew you needed like nipple shields (ouch).

92Y Parenting Center also offers an ongoing breastfeeding support group, as does the downtown 14th Street Y and many of the city's YMCAs. The Seleni Institute also hosts breastfeeding support groups and workshops.

Boober offers on-demand, same-day breastfeeding help and support, and can send a lactation consultant to your home postpartum for pumping or nursing questions. Its sister organization Birth Day Presence can help with other forms of pre- and postnatal support, including newborn care classes and postpartum doula services.

Baby Caravan is another resource for all things prenatal and postpartum offering postpartum doulas, newborn care classes, and lactation consultants in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. In addition to a weekly new parent lactation support group, they offer daytime and overnight postpartum doulas to help get you started with breastfeeding and newborn care. For moms heading back to work after maternity leave, check out their Postpartum Back-to-Work coaching sessions.

Uptown Village in Washington Heights, which already offers a full suite of support for new moms, including postpartum doulas and lactation consultants, just added a monthly breastfeeding support group.

Nurture {Bklyn} in Park Slope, Brooklyn, hosts multiple lactation support groups each month, as well as therapy and support services for new parents, and Pregnancy and Postpartum new mom circles.

Motherhood Center in Manhattan offers a variety of classes for moms, including breastfeeding support, maternal mental health counseling, infant care and sleep issues.

One of our Queens writers recommends two postpartum gurus operating out of the borough: Postmodern Childbirth (home visits offered in Queens but also the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Northern New Jersey) and lactation consultant Nikki Katsuki (home visits in Queens and Midtown Manhattan).

Find more breastfeeding consultants via your OB, the hospital where you delivered, friends, or your local parenting group. Just remember to look for this international certification before signing up.

Pumping more milk than you know what to do with? There are milk banks right here in the city where you can donate yours to help someone else’s newborn thrive.

In a pinch? Don’t forget about KellyMom, an online site all about breastfeeding that my pediatrician turned me on to. Your child’s pediatrician is often an unexpected wealth of knowledge about breastfeeding. Mine, Heights Pediatrics, helped me position the baby in a more comfortable manner, diagnosed a case of mastitis and even helped me find a better pump. Don’t be afraid to ask your pediatrician breastfeeding questions! They can also help diagnose and care for thrush, tongue tie, and more challenges.

Sleep Support