About 1 in 8 women have this experience postpartum depression (PPD), making it one of the most common complications of childbirth. As the maternal health field moves toward promoting “breast is best,” there is growing interest in finding a link between breastfeeding and maternal mental health. Findings suggest that breastfeeding may be associated with lower rates of PPD; however, this relationship is complex and two-way. This post reviews the latest research on nuances perinatal mental health and infant feeding.
2026 year learning examined the relationship between early breastfeeding, infant feeding intentions, and PPD postpartum Period with a sample of 2022 low-income new mothers. The results showed that mothers who exclusively breastfed were less likely to experience PPD than those who used only formula or mixed feeding. This finding is consistent with the previous one research shows that exclusive breastfeeding is associated with lower levels of PPD.
Another finding in the same study, consistent with previous data on infant feeding, was that a large proportion (about one-third) of women who intended to breastfeed failed to do so by the first month. This finding is important because the ability to satisfy breastfeeding intentions is related to the mother’s mood. On a large scale learning found that the risk of PPD was lowest among non-antenatal women at 32 months postpartum depression planned and managed to breastfeed; alternatively, the highest risk of PPD was found in women who planned to breastfeed and those who were unable to breastfeed. In other words, unfulfilled intentions were associated with poorer mental health outcomes.
Inability to breastfeed goals often due to systemic, physical, or relational barriers (ie, external factors) rather than personal desire or lack of individual choice. Specifically, contextual factors that make a woman more or less likely to achieve breastfeeding goals include income level, educationreturn to work, quality of sleep, social support network and sustainable partnership. The same factors are associated with the risk of PPD.
Finally, although studies have shown that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of PPD, existing research studies not possible suggests that breastfeeding improves maternal mental health. Instead, research shows a complex and bidirectional relationship. Just as breastfeeding success contributes to maternal mental health and maternal mental health, breastfeeding problems contribute to maternal mental health. Worsening of PPDand a mother’s PPD can make breastfeeding difficult. In other words, research shows that mothers with PPD are at increased risk of experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding and early termination.
Summary
- Breastfeeding is associated with lower PPD, but is not always the cause.
- Instead, the relationship between maternal mental health and breastfeeding is complex and bidirectional.
- Many external factors affect both PPD and breastfeeding success.
- Support systems are needed to facilitate mothers’ intentions to breastfeed and to reduce existing barriers.
Clinical applications
Research shows that infant feeding goes beyond setting intentions. This requires navigating complex systems that do not support early transition parenthood (eg return to work). Thus, rather than defining infant feeding as an individual choice or an individual success or failure, the body of research emphasizes the role of external systems and the importance of compassionate, flexible care that protects maternal mental health and the parent-infant relationship. “Breast is best” campaigns are well-intentioned. They may equate breastfeeding with good motherhood and cause undue pressure adverse effects about the mother’s mental health. Instead, there should be easy access to expert breastfeeding support for women who want/can breastfeed, and compassionate, tailored support for women who intend to breastfeed but are unable to breastfeed themselves.
