The Intersection of Breastfeeding and Mental Health

Whether you’re a new or expecting parent, you’ve probably heard the phrase “breast is best”, or maybe the more recent slogan “fed is best.” While breastfeeding can have many benefits for both mother and baby it’s not without its own challenges and risks and it’s certainly not a one-size fits all approach. The pressure to breastfeed often puts significant stress on women and mothers and can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy when the ability to breastfeed is thwarted by psychosocial, socio-economic, and medical factors. Recommendations by the World Health Organization to breastfeed were developed primarily with the consideration of third world countries and infant nutrition in mind. Yet these recommendations are taken out of context and not considerate of the mother’s emotional well-being.

Like most decisions we make about our health and well-being, there are both risks and benefits to breastfeeding. There tends to be a polarizing perception that an infant is either breastfed or bottle fed, and not necessarily a combination of both methods of feeding. It may be helpful to keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily have to be breast or bottle, but can be a combination of both depending on what best suits the family.

The Perfect Storm:

You’ve delivered your beautiful baby and perhaps a lactation consultant at the hospital pops by when you’re recovering to give you a few tips, but your milk probably hasn’t even come in yet. Then you’re sent home and maybe encouraged to order that breastpump your insurance is required to supply you with. You’re discharged from the hospital and feeling overwhelmed with all the things you’ve got to do once you get home (schedule pediatrician appointments, order a birth certificate, log feedings and dirty diapers, file paperwork for disability benefits, and on and on). Perhaps it doesn’t even cross your mind that no one really told you how to latch or what to expect when feeding your infant. This experience is all too common and no one really prepares us for how to breastfeed or how hard it can be.

Common Misconceptions about Breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding is free, natural and accessible. The reality is that breastfeeding is not a one-person job and requires a lot of support (yes, it too takes a village). Support may include a partner, a lactation consultant or feeding specialist, or an employer that provides the mother with time and appropriate environment to feed and/or pump. And while for some breastfeeding may feel innate and come naturally, many of us aren’t prepared for many of the challenges surrounding breastfeeding. We often imagine that once we get through labor and delivery, the biggest hurdles are over. Many women struggle with breastfeeding for a variety of reasons. Some common struggles include problems with latching, pain while feeding, infection, and low milk production.

So what does all this mean for my mental health, you ask?

In short, it’s complicated. Some research indicates that breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum depression. Perhaps this is due to the release of oxytocin and other chemicals that help to regulate sleep and wake patterns and facilitate bonding with baby. Those who aren’t depressed or anxious during pregnancy but are unable to initiate or maintain breastfeeding are more likely to develop depression or anxiety during postpartum. Some studies also indicate that depression and anxiety may actually occur in response to difficulties or problems with breastfeeding. There are also individual factors that impact the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health. For some, not knowing how much baby is eating can be anxiety-inducing. For others, depression itself may interfere with a sense of self-efficacy when breastfeeding. 

If you’ve got your heart set on breastfeeding (which is totally valid) there are many resources that can help you achieve this goal. One of the most valuable is a lactation consultant that supports you in all of your decisions related to feeding your baby. Did you know that lactation consultants can also help with bottle feeding/bottle refusal, pumping, and navigating returning to work? 

Bottom line: Prioritize your mental and physical well-being. Give yourself permission to do what feels right for you and your family, not what other people think is best. And most importantly, don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. It’s a tough job being a new mama and you are not alone.