Dear Abby: My daughter struggles with new baby, and I’ve noticed something troubling

DEAR ABBY:

I’m blessed at 38 to have my first and likely only grandbaby. She’s PERFECT. My daughter, “Robin,” is stressed. She’s left alone with the baby all day, every day while her partner works. Robin sleeps only when he’s home. I understand her frustration. I raised her and her brother, 12 months apart, on my own. I don’t get to see my grandbaby often as I don’t have a vehicle and Robin doesn’t have a driver’s license.

I cherish every picture I receive. I want to memorize every aspect of my grandbaby. There’s a recurring theme in her photos. I think the baby has a lazy eye. I’ve compared pictures from birth until now at 10 months of age.

Robin is in a fragile state with stress and postpartum depression. Should I tell her or let a doctor catch it? I know the longer it goes untreated, the worse it gets. Right now, I can’t say or do anything right to her. Apparently, “I don’t know what it’s like to raise a kid!” — WATCHFUL GRANDMA IN MISSOURI

DEAR GRANDMA:

If your daughter is suffering from postpartum depression, it is very important that she be treated by her doctor for it. You should be telling her that. I cannot stress this too strongly. Your granddaughter should be having regular examinations by her pediatrician because if there is something wrong with her eye, her pediatrician should catch it and recommend treatment.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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