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Breastfeeding can potentially reduce the risk of postpartum depression, according to experts. This assertion comes as the world observes World Breastfeeding Week, held annually during the first week of August, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The theme for 2024 is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
While the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for infants are widely acknowledged, there’s a less discussed but crucial connection: its impact on maternal mental health, specifically postpartum depression (PPD).
Postpartum depression is a medical condition that many women experience within the first two to three days after delivery, often lasting up to two weeks. It is typically characterized by strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Research shows that about one in seven women can experience postpartum depression, a challenge often overlooked by new mothers.
“Depression and anxiety disorders represent the most common obstetric complications during pregnancy and the first year postpartum, reducing the mother’s ability to effectively perceive, decipher, and respond to their infant’s needs,” said Manisha Khalane, a lactation consultant at Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital in Pune.
A recent study published in The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine found that women who breastfeed their babies have a lower risk of developing PPD. The positive effects were maintained over the first four months after childbirth.
“While breastfeeding alone may not prevent postpartum depression, it can play a significant role in reducing the risk by promoting hormonal balance, physical recovery, emotional bonding, and a sense of purpose and support,” said Ruth Patterson, Chief Lactation Consultant at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in Bengaluru.
Another study by the Max Planck Institute in Germany showed that breastfeeding can also improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and overall negative mood.
“Interestingly, breastfeeding and postpartum depression have a complex, bidirectional relationship. While postpartum depression can decrease the likelihood of breastfeeding, the act of breastfeeding itself has been shown to have a profound effect on alleviating symptoms of depression,” Khalane added.
Patterson further explained that breastfeeding stimulates the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.” This promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances mood, contributing to a sense of well-being. The release of oxytocin also helps the uterus contract, reducing postpartum bleeding and aiding in physical recovery, which can positively impact mental health. Prolactin, another hormone involved in milk production, also has calming effects and can help improve mood stability.
Besides the immediate benefit of lowering postpartum depression risk, breastfeeding also has the long-term benefit of reducing the risk of breast cancer.
“Breastfeeding is vital to reduce the chances of breast cancer in the mother. It is the need of the hour for new mothers to breastfeed their babies to ensure they stay healthy and safeguard themselves against breast cancer, which is known to cause a higher mortality rate in women,” said Nitin Gupte, a gynecologist at Apollo Spectra in Pune.
Gupte explained that the hormonal changes occurring during lactation may reduce lifetime exposure to estrogen, a hormone associated with breast cancer development.
World Breastfeeding Week serves as a reminder of the multifaceted benefits of breastfeeding, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support for new mothers to enhance both infant and maternal health.
