In an interview in the current issue of Gotham magazine, Amanda Peet has revealed that she struggled with “a fairly serious postpartum depression” following the birth of her daughter Frances “Frankie” Pen.

“I want to be honest about it because I think there’s still so much shame when you have mixed feelings about being a mom instead of feeling this sort of ‘bliss.’ I think a lot of people still really struggle with that, but it’s hard to find other people who are willing to talk about it,” she explained.

Expecting to feel “fulfilled,” Amanda said she instead felt “sleep-deprived beyond belief” and ambivalent about motherhood.

Happily the actress has turned it around, and is relishing every moment with her adorable 17-month-old daughter.

She”s recently faced criticism over her support of pro-vaccine organization Every Child by Two, but Amanda says she hopes her efforts will “clarify and dispel some of the misinformation about the dangers of vaccines and the association between autism and vaccines.

“I think there’s a feeling, especially in Hollywood, that it’s cool to be really skeptical of pharmaceutical companies. I think that we’re so used to being skeptical that sometimes we take it too far. It leads to what can be really dangerous misinformation.”

Amanda Peet opened up about motherhood in the latest issue of Cookie magazine. Amanda and her 16-month-old daughter Frances “Frankie” Pen are this month’s cover girls!

“I thought it would be an extended, blissful romance with me at the helm, cuddling this little creature to life,” the actress admitted. “It’s been bittersweet and humbling to let her lead, and to not try to be perfect myself.”

Many new moms struggle with balancing work and motherhood, but Amanda says for her it’s an easy decision. She believes she’s happier when she’s working, and she’s a better mother for it.

There is no conflict for Amanda when it comes to balancing her home life with her professional life, however; She says that she’s happier when she’s working, and a better mom for it.

“When you’re able to identify your passions, then your child will be able to identify hers. It’s a great template.”

Amanda has also weighed in on the controversial debate about the link between autism and vaccines.

Amanda says she’s not just convinced there is no link between autism and vaccines; she believes parents who don’t vaccinate their kids “are parasites.” Ouch!

“In the ’50s, hundreds of thousands of children were dying from preventable diseases and vaccinations saved so many lives,” she said, “it’s only because you don’t see as many children dying (today) that we don’t worry, but that’s really sad.”

Amanda plans to record a series of public service announcements for Every Child By Two, an organization which hopes to raise awareness of the need for timely infant immunizations.

This is such a touchy subject and it’s been in the news plenty lately thanks to celebs like Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey. It’s so controversial I’m not about to get into a debate about it, but I do think it’s great that there’s another influential star speaking about the other side of the issue.

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