Breastfeeding May Protect Maternal Mental Health

Breastfeeding Linked to Long-Term Mental Health Benefits for Mothers

breastfeeding appears to protect women’s‍ mental health for years​ after childbirth, according to a⁣ small observational study conducted by Irish researchers.

Researchers from three​ Dublin institutions studied ⁢168 mothers experiencing their second pregnancy. They found that⁣ each‍ week ‌of⁢ exclusive breastfeeding reduced the ⁣risk ⁢of depression or anxiety by 2%,⁢ even when⁤ accounting for factors⁤ like alcohol consumption. “There are ⁢hormones released ​during breastfeeding, primarily oxytocin and prolactin,” explained ⁢Karine Huppé, a clinical nurse and lactation consultant at the Montreal children’s Hospital. “Oxytocin is also called the⁣ ‘love hormone.’ ‌It promotes sleep in mothers, reduces stress,⁣ and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory… and we‍ understand that inflammation is ⁢an significant issue in mental health.”

Huppé continued, significant inflammation can ‌increase the ‍risk of depression. “So,breastfeeding can‌ modulate that inflammatory response ‌to‌ protect the mother not only from short-term postpartum depression,but also for longer.”

These benefits⁤ add to the protection breastfeeding seems to offer ‌against conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, and also the numerous health benefits for the⁤ baby.