Breastfeeding And Postpartum Depression
The bad news is, babies born to mothers who are depressed often suffer. According to MayoClinic.com, "Research shows that infants of depressed mothers are at increased risk of behavioral problems, emotional difficulties, and delays in growth and language development."
The good news is, breastfeeding has a protective effect for moms. Not only are breastfeeding women less likely to suffer from postpartum depression, their depressive episodes are less severe. What's more, the babies of breastfeeding women suffering from depression also fare better, since they are still enjoying skin to skin contact with mom as well as interacting with her due to the nursing relationship.
Postpartum depression does call for treatment however, as it may not resolve on its own. The following are 3 ways of treating depression in breastfeeding mothers.
Exercise
Several well planned studies have proven that exercise is extremely effective in treating depression. 20 to 30 minutes of exercise three times a week or more is all that is needed to see a difference. The challenge lies in getting a depressed person to actually engage in exercise, so support is needed. Counseling with a good therapist can help, as well as family support to help the depressed mom follow through with exercise.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation
Particularly exciting is new research showing promising results with Omega 3 fatty acid supplements for depressed mothers. This research points to a link between inflammation (which takes place during the final weeks of pregnancy) and depression. Since fish oil and other sources of Omega 3 fatty acids combat inflammation, they are often effective in preventing or treating depression. Thankfully, moms can find inexpensive sources of mercury free fish oil in capsules, over the counter. Moms are encouraged to talk with their health care provider. One source of information on this topic is medical researcher and breastfeeding expert Kathleen Kendall-Tackett.
Medication
Antidepressant medications are sometimes recommended for postpartum depression. There are several factors to consider when making this decision, including the age of the baby and the severity of the depression. Although some health care practitioners recommend weaning when prescribing antidepressant medication to moms, this is rarely needed. With careful monitoring of the mother's dosage and the baby, medication can be used with good result. The book Medications and Mother's Milk by Thomas Hale should be consulted for more information on specific medications that are safe to use during lactation.
It's important to note that breastfeeding has a protective effect on depression when nursing is going well. If problems arise, especially if nursing is painful, this can place additional stress on the mom which can worsen the depression or trigger it in some moms. This is why getting help for breastfeeding challenges early is so important. At the same time, sudden or early weaning can be very difficult for a woman since her hormones will go through abrupt changes, as well as causing stress on her baby. Weaning will also deprive mom of the beneficial hormones oxytocin and prolaction, the "feel good" hormones. Another factor is health issues that may present with weaning to formula, including increased fussiness, allergies and other issues. Finding a breastfeeding friendly health care support network is crucial.
More Advice For New Moms Articles
4 Ways To Avoid Breastfeeding Challenges
... some Pediatricians or Doctors say, the experience of many mothers and breastfeeding experts over the years has shown that some babies do indeed have much trouble switching from breast to bottle. Wait until the baby is several weeks old to introduce bottles. Give It Six Weeks For some nursing couples (remember ...
More On Elimination Communication
... less so. Still, if you EC baby regularly throughout the day, most babies will begin to hold it at least for a few minutes. Another thing to note is what your baby does right before he goes. Maybe he squirms or wimpers. Newborns especially seem to get their entire bodies involved in the process of elimination. ...
... them from illness. Many moms of nursing toddlers have been thankful for their tot taking in breast milk when they refuse other foods during sicknesses. This is especially important when toddlers have diarrhea or vomiting and dehydration can be life threatening. Since breast milk is too easily and quickly ...
Avoiding And Treating Plugged Ducts And Mastitis
... will not harm the baby either. * Tylenol and Motrin are safe for nursing moms to use if the pain is bad. * Get lots of rest. The best course of action is to take baby to bed immediately and encourage him/her to nurse frequently. Take naps and spend the majority of the day in bed if at all possible. These ...
10 Quick Breastfeeding Success Tips
... to genetics. 9) Get your latch right. Learning how to latch your baby onto the breast is one of the most, if not THE most important thing you can do to avoid pain and ensure adequate draining of the breast (which leads to an abundant milk supply). Get help if you and your baby are having trouble. 10) ...
