Post partum depression affects one in ten new mothers. Others just dismiss it as baby blues and think that it is so normal that it is nothing. It may be common but it is something. It is an illness.

The depression develops after giving birth and can happen anytime during the first year. Others experience it gradually whereas there are those who feel "unfit" all of a sudden.

Moms who cry a lot, feel unfit as a mother, are irritable, feel tired, have sleeping problems, are afraid to handle their baby may be suffering from post partum depression.

Should you (or your wife) have any of the above symptoms, it is best to get help. Doctors could help rule out other physical illnesses. A correct diagnosis would take you halfway to solving the problem.

You can also help yourself by getting moral and social support. Talk about your feelings to your mom, your husband and friends who could empathize.

Remind yourself that you are a new mom and not super mom. There are no rules to mothering. Our instincts will help a lot in guiding us. And you should not pressure yourself by thinking that everything should run smoothly. Being a new mother is overwhelming. That is normal. Keep that in mind.

Get some rest and help. Do not think that you are less of a mom if you delegate some tasks to your husband or a caregiver.

Now, it has been reported that Tom Cruise was in Rome to promote Mission Impossible III. Apparently, Kate told him to go "have fun". Methinks Tom needs a lesson in "what woman really means when she says yes." I hope, for her sake, that she isn't (or wouldn't) be suffering from Post Partum Depression. If she does, she would probably have to put up with mumbo jumbo to get over her depression. Poor girl.