{"id":29336,"date":"2022-08-04T09:43:44","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T13:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthymindsphilly.org\/?p=29336"},"modified":"2022-08-14T21:51:06","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T01:51:06","slug":"breastfeeding-and-mental-health-its-personal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthymindsphilly.org\/dev\/blog\/breastfeeding-and-mental-health-its-personal\/","title":{"rendered":"Breastfeeding and Mental Health – It’s Personal"},"content":{"rendered":"

The arrival of a little bundle of joy brings heart-stealing smiles along with many opinions and advice about breastfeeding.<\/span> Undoubtedly,<\/span> nursing creates a physical and emotional attachment between mother and baby. It strengthens babies\u2019 immune systems, and for moms, can reduce the risk of disease and bring joy and fulfillment. <\/span><\/p>\n

But not always.<\/span><\/p>\n

For some mothers, breastfeeding is extremely painful. Others cannot supply enough milk, which can lead to extreme feelings of guilt. <\/span>Breastfeeding and anxie<\/span>ty often go hand in hand as infants on breast milk require frequent feedings. The resulting lack of sleep causes stress, which can reduce mom\u2019s milk supply, creating a vicious cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFeeding and sleep deprivation \u2014 which, of course, are connected \u2014 are two of the biggest triggers for moms\u2019 anxiety and mood disturbances,\u201d says Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, a psychiatrist specializing in women\u2019s mental health, in <\/span>The New York Times<\/span><\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Depression and breastfeeding<\/b><\/p>\n

Does nursing reduce the risk of postpartum depression (PPD)? For most new mothers the answer is yes. Yet those who have a negative breastfeeding experience are actually at greater risk for PPD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another mental health issue, but one rarely discussed, is <\/span>post-weaning depression<\/span>. Once baby moves to the bottle, sadness is common as the feel-good hormones released while breastfeeding drop significantly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For post-weaning depression and PPD, antidepressants are often prescribed. But what if you are breastfeeding<\/span>? Some medications like Sertraline (Zoloft) are safe according to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>. Others like Alprazolam <\/span>(Xanax) taken while breastfeeding<\/span> are considered harmful to both mother and baby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medications and nursing moms<\/b><\/p>\n

Other medication issues complicate breastfeeding. Post childbirth, opioid-based pain medications like Percocet are acceptable before lactation begins. <\/span>Yet taking Percocet while breastfeedi<\/span>ng can be dangerous for baby. For guidance on medication safety while nursing, be sure to check with your health care provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

An informed choice<\/b><\/p>\n

August is National Breastfeeding Month which is dedicated to helping mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a> updated their recommendations, encouraging mothers to breastfeed for two years or more. Still, the decision about how long and whether to supplement with formula is a very personal one. It depends on a multitude of factors, not the least of which is mom\u2019s mental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI worry that the lack of centering of mothers\u2019 mental health continues to reinforce a narrative that in order to be \u2018good\u2019 moms, women must sacrifice their own emotional and mental well-being for the sake of their families, when, in fact, the data supports the opposite. Prioritizing moms\u2019 mental health positively impacts the whole family,\u201d says Dr. Lakshmin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few resources to guide parents in their decisions regarding breastfeeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n