Breastfeeding: A Boost for Mom's Mental Health

Let’s cut to the chase. You’ve likely heard about the many benefits breastfeeding offers to your newborn. But did you know that breastfeeding also provides significant mental health benefits for mothers? 

Being a new mom is challenging, and taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as caring for your baby. Here’s how breastfeeding can support your mental health: 

Reduced Stress and Anxiety: 

Studies have shown that breastfeeding can help reduce stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression. Hormones linked to stress, such as basal norepinephrine, are lower in breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and glucocorticoid cortisol — both associated with the "fight or flight" stress response — are significantly reduced. The result? Lower levels of anxiety and a reduced risk of depression. In short, breastfeeding can lead to less stress and a calmer mind. 

Decreased Risk of Postpartum Depression: 

• Increased Self-Efficacy: Research indicates that breastfeeding boosts a mother’s confidence in her ability to care for her baby. This increase in self-efficacy can lower the risk of postpartum depression. 

• Stronger Mother-Baby Bond: Breastfeeding fosters a close emotional connection between mother and baby. Infants who are breastfed tend to be vocal and engage in physical touch with their mothers. This enhanced bonding helps decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression. Furthermore, skin-to-skin contact during the first few days after birth is shown to positively influence the mother’s neuroendocrine functions, which regulate growth, metabolism, and stress response. 

• Seek Support: While breastfeeding can help prevent postpartum depression, it’s important to remember that postpartum depression is real and not uncommon. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your healthcare provider. Help and hope are available. 

Better Sleep for Mom: 

According to a literature review, breastfeeding mothers tend to get more rest compared to bottle-feeding mothers (Tucker & O’Malley, 2022). This review found that breastfeeding moms averaged 2.6 more hours of sleep per night. It also revealed that those who exclusively breastfed experienced significantly better sleep during the first month postpartum than their bottle-feeding counterparts. So not only will you get more sleep, but the sleep you do get is of better quality. 

It’s not just an old wives' tale—research supports that breastfeeding can improve mental health for mothers. By understanding these benefits, you can make an informed decision about the best feeding method for you and your baby.  

Breastfeeding offers many benefits for babies and moms, but every family’s journey is unique. No matter how you feed your baby, what matters most is that baby is loved and nourished and mom feels confident in how she feeds her baby.