Postpartum depression, a longer more debilitating form of the “baby blues,” is a growing risk for today’s mothers. In fact, about 10%-20% of women are expected to experience postpartum depression in the first few months after giving birth. Postpartum depressions are often linked to severe stress in women’s lives, such as financial strain, marital difficulties, lack of social support, and having to care for difficult (fussy) infants. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, sleeplessness, irritability, headache, impaired communication ability, social withdrawal, and increased anxiety or panic attacks. Often overlooked, postpartum depression may also disturb the mother-infant relationship which in turn can engender long-term cognitive, behavioral and emotional risks to children.
Recent studies, however, have found that there may be a simple and natural prevention or cure for postpartum depression- Breastfeeding. Tried and tested, breastfeeding appears to buffer negative mood and is associated with less perceived stress. Oxytocin, a hormone known for its role in initiating lactation and stimulating positive human emotion, may play an important role in this relationship. In fact, studies have found that the higher the levels of oxytocin released during breastfeeding, the less aggressive and calmer mothers report feeling. Doctors even suggest that oxytocin works in ways similar to antidepressant medications. Thus, while biological, social, and psychological factors influence the prevalence of postpartum depression in mothers, breastfeeding can be utilized to combat its detrimental effects
Successful breastfeeding has long been known to be a healthy choice for infants, providing antibodies which protect them from common respiratory and intestinal diseases and in general offering them more positive health outcomes. Breastfeeding is also known to reduce a woman’s risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as osteoporosis. The protection against, and natural cure for postpartum depression therefore only adds to the growing list of reasons why mothers should choose breast over bottle.
