MUMS have warned against judging a woman who shook her young baby while suffering from postnatal depression.

The Worcestershire mum, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered from the undiagnosed condition, causing her seven-week-old baby boy extensive brain damage by her actions.

However, other women have said more support is needed for the condition, with one saying, “it turns you into a completely different person”.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright, who gave the mum a suspended sentence on Tuesday at Worcester Crown Court, said she was “overcome with a mixture of feelings” on the day in question.

“You were led to shake him backwards and forwards for a significant amount of time.

“He suffered an inevitable brain injury which is permanent and grave,” he said, adding: “His life will be limited. It’s unlikely he will be able to walk or talk.

“The indications are that he will not be able to see.”

Writing on Facebook, Kelly Tidbury, from Worcester, said: “As much as I think this is absolutely terrible, as a sufferer of post-natal depression in the past, I can honestly say you don’t even know who you are let alone able to function properly.

“This woman must have been in a seriously bad place and now may never recover from it, she will no doubt regret her actions for the rest of her life.”

She continued: “Someone should have picked up on this sooner but also you become very good at hiding how you feel around people. It’s very sad on both parts.”

Carys Thurlby, also of Worcester, said: “How terribly sad all round. I can’t imagine what that mother is going through. No punishment would ever outweigh what she must be feeling herself.”

Beth Giddings said: “This is absolutely horrendous, however, I feel like unless you have experienced post-natal depression first hand, you are not able to judge. It turns you into a completely different person.”

The mum admitted section 20 grievous bodily harm on July 6 this year - the same day that she shook the baby at her home in Kidderminster.

The baby, who will be left unable to walk or talk and possibly unable to see, is now in the custody of his father and the defendant’s parents.