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Key TakeawaysA recent study found that breastfeeding may help improve maternal mental health and reduce the risk of postpartum depression.However, this might not be the case when new mothers are struggling with breastfeeding.This might be due, in part, to the stigma surrounding using formula as an alternative.

Key Takeaways

A recent study found that breastfeeding may help improve maternal mental health and reduce the risk of postpartum depression.However, this might not be the case when new mothers are struggling with breastfeeding.This might be due, in part, to the stigma surrounding using formula as an alternative.

A recent study, published in theJournal of Women’s Health,has found positive associations between breastfeeding and improved maternal mental health. In this analysis, researchers dug deep into the existing body of research on the topic to integrate the information in the form of updated breastfeeding recommendations.

While difficulties with breastfeeding can also impact maternal mental health and potentially lead topostpartum depression, this research holds promise for mothers struggling to connect with their babies.

The overwhelming evidence was that breastfeeding is associated with better mental health, but it’s stressed in the study’s conclusion that breastfeeding is associated with more negative mental health in some cases, meaning that breastfeeding may not be right for every woman.

Understanding Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression, or PPD, is a form of depression that occurs after giving birth. It’s relatively common, and it’s treatable.

Carly Snyder, MDAsking women how they are doing emotionally, really listening, and checking if they are struggling with breastfeeding are all important steps in supporting new moms.

Carly Snyder, MD

Asking women how they are doing emotionally, really listening, and checking if they are struggling with breastfeeding are all important steps in supporting new moms.

“Any new mother can experience postpartum depression,” says Annie Riha, PsyD CPsychol, a psychologist atNaytal. “But there are factors that increase your risk, including birth trauma which can also result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a history of mental illness, ongoing pain or complications post-birth, if you have felt depressed during your pregnancy or in the past, a weak support system, stressful life events during the past year such as a bereavement or a complicated pregnancy, relationship difficulties with your partner or significant other or a bad breastfeeding experience.”

How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last?

Linking Breastfeeding and Maternal Mental Health

The evidence is there to suggest that breastfeeding has positive impacts on both the child and the parent. To that end, groups including the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life wherever possible.

Breast milk protects infants from infections and diseases. It also provides health benefits to the mother, lowering the risk of various conditions.And then there’s the evidence to suggest that it may benefit mental health too.

One study found that women who breastfed at two and four months after giving birth were less likely to be diagnosed with postpartum depression at four months. Meanwhile, women diagnosed with PPD at two months were less likely to breastfeed at four months, suggesting that the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health goes both ways.

There’s evidence that stopping breastfeeding can be linked to depression in mothers. However, this is most evident when it comes to mothers who stopped due to pain or physical difficulty. Likewise, there’s evidence that issues with breastfeeding can be linked to lower mood in new mothers.

Still, it can be difficult to know whether it’s the breastfeeding causing the poorer mood or vice versa. There’s evidence that some new mothers with higher levels of anxiety and depression take a more negative view of breastfeeding to begin with, or are more likely to stop breastfeeding at an earlier stage.

How Postpartum Depression Affects Dads

Breastfeeding Challenges

As findings have suggested, women who stop breastfeeding after difficulties may be more likely to develop PPD. This may be linked to the perceived stigma and shame around not breastfeeding, or supplementing breast milk with formula.

Annie Riha, PsyD

A study published in 2020 involving 250 mothers who weren’t breastfeeding found that mothers unable to breastfeed experience more internalized stigma and feel as if other people see them as failures. These mothers were more likely to hide their formula use and had lower feelings of warmth towards their children. In contrast, mothers with more knowledge around formula use and more of a support system felt less stigmatized and had higher feelings of warmth towards their children.

“Sadly, due to the pandemic and a general lack of resources many new mothers do not get the support they desperately need in the early stages of breastfeeding,” says Dr. Riha. “Many mothers who have had a bad breastfeeding experience feel like a failure, which increases their risk of postpartum depression.

Stigma Around Formula Use and Breastfeeding Causes Stress During Formula Shortage

How Clinicians Can Help

So what can clinicians do to help support people who aren’t able to breastfeed or are struggling with it? “Asking women how they are doing emotionally, really listening, and checking if they are struggling with breastfeeding are all important steps in supporting new moms,” says Dr. Snyder. “Lactation consultants can be helpful if a woman is struggling with latch or is in pain, as can checking for a tongue tie."

“Mom’s mental and physical health is imperative to allow her to be the most present, best mom she can be. If struggling to breastfeed is a hindrance to mom’s wellbeing, then it is time to start formula feeding.”

What This Means For YouAs can be seen from this study, breastfeeding can be linked to positive maternal mental health. However, if you’re struggling with breastfeeding, help is out there. Speak to your family doctor or primary care physician for more information. If you think you or a loved one is experiencing postpartum depression or you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or thoughts of harming your child, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat1-800-273-8255for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

What This Means For You

As can be seen from this study, breastfeeding can be linked to positive maternal mental health. However, if you’re struggling with breastfeeding, help is out there. Speak to your family doctor or primary care physician for more information. If you think you or a loved one is experiencing postpartum depression or you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or thoughts of harming your child, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat1-800-273-8255for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Yuen M, Hall OJ, Masters AG, et al.The effects of breastfeeding on maternal mental health: A systematic review.J Womens Health. 2022. doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0504

Krol KM, Grossmann T.Psychological effects of breastfeeding on children and mothers.Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2018;61(8):977-985. doi:10.1007/s00103-018-2769-0

Hamdan A, Tamim H.The relationship between postpartum depression and breastfeeding.Int J Psychiatry Med. 2012;43(3):243-259. doi:10.2190/PM.43.3.d

Pope CJ, Mazmanian D.Breastfeeding and postpartum depression: An overview and methodological recommendations for future research.Depress Res Treat. 2016;2016:1-9. doi:10.1155/2016/4765310

Bresnahan M, Zhuang J, Goldbort J, Bogdan-Lovis E, Park SY, Hitt R.Made to feel like less of a woman: The experience of stigma for mothers who do not breastfeed.Breast Med. 2020;15(1):35-40. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.0171

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