breastfeeding and postpartum depression

Researchers have found that babies born to mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression suffer as a result. 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."

Thankfully, 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 postpartum 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 Acids
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 and author Kathleen Kendall-Tackett. To download an interview with her, right click on this link: Dr. Kathleen Kendall Tackett 

Antidepressant 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 is one of the best sources for detailed, accurate information on antidepressant and other medications that are safe for nursing moms to use.

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.