Breastfeeding can be a natural and rewarding time for both mom and baby. It can foster intimacy and bonding through a nurturing connection. Additionally, research has discovered psychological benefits to breastfeeding. However, there is also the reality that breastfeeding simply does not work for all moms or babies. In these cases, switching to an alternative feeding method could be advised in order to maintain mental and physical health. Thereby, better ensure the building of an intimate bond between mother and child.
Breastfeeding vs Bottle Feeding
The relationship between mother and child is layered and nuanced by many factors. One of which is thought to be how a baby is initially fed. Studies show that breastfeeding has advantages for mother and child, but there are also others that provide counter-evidence. Thus, the reality of the conclusion that the relationship between postpartum mental health and breastfeeding is not clearly understood. Accordingly, it is advised that an individualised approach be adopted rather than a generalised one. Essentially this means that each woman must decide what is best for both herself and her baby.
Reasons to Breastfeed
Beyond the initial establishment of an attachment style, there are mental and physical benefits for mothers who breastfeed their babies.
5 Advantages of Breastfeeding for Mothers
- Has strong associations with decreasing symptoms of postpartum depression.
- Reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipemia and certain cancers.
- Decreases anxiety and stress as well as depression.
- Improves sleep quality for mothers so that they sleep deeper, for longer stretches and fall asleep more easily.
- Can assist with faster contracting and involution of the uterus after childbirth. As well as increase the speed of post-pregnancy weight loss.
Hormones and Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, a woman’s hormones change. After giving birth, her body then undergoes a process to recalibrate. This starts with the clearing of placental steroids, of which 80% are cleared from the body within 48 hours of birth. Birth endorphins, which help boost feelings of wellbeing, also start to dissipate.
During this process, oestrogen levels in a woman’s body naturally plummet. They can be kept low due to the release of the hormone prolactin, which assists in the production of milk. Additionally, breastfeeding can lead to menopause-like symptoms. This can, for example, result in a low sex drive and vaginal tissue changes that increase the risk of infection. New moms also experience a rise in cortisol, the stress hormone. The combination of hormonal changes often results in a new mom initially feeling deflated and having a low mood.
The negative impact of post-pregnancy hormone changes is buffered and decreased by the releases of oxytocin and dopamine. Furthermore, oxytocin assists in the fostering and deepening of a mother-baby bond. It also helps with decreasing stress and anxiety levels.
Postpartum Depletion vs Postpartum Depression
In the short run, it is common for a woman to experience temporary baby blues (low mood) and postpartum depletion. Postpartum (postnatal) depletion is associated with loss of nutrients, exhaustion, and the life changes of being a mom. It can result in brain fog, absentmindedness and problems concentrating. On average these symptoms last for two weeks and then start to decrease.
However, temporary baby blues and postnatal depletion are different from postpartum depression. Postpartum or postnatal depression occurs when a woman has depressive feelings that extend beyond two weeks. It usually also has a negative impact on mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Additionally, it can negatively impact her ability to care for herself, her child and those around her. It is a medical condition. Therefore, it usually requires intervention and an extension of additional support to help a mom recover.
Are there Signs to Stop Breastfeeding?
While breastfeeding can yield benefits to a mother, difficulties or divergences between expectations and experiences might result in negative mental outcomes. Furthermore, research shows that difficulties when breastfeeding can cause or exacerbate ill mental health.
As such, breastfeeding isn’t a reality for some mothers and switching to an alternative might be what’s best for both mom and baby. Therefore, no one should ever feel pressured into or guilty about stopping breastfeeding. The most important thing to remember is that whatever choice is made should be the one that works best for the mother and her baby.
3 Reasons to Stop Breastfeeding
- Causing Harm to Mental or Physical Health: If breastfeeding is making you miserable, stressed, anxious or filled with dread then you should assess the impact on your mental health. Furthermore, for some, the pressure surrounding breastfeeding can cause negative feelings or postpartum depression. Physically, you might be dealing with mastitis, infections or constantly bleeding nipples and therefore need to examine the practicality of breastfeeding.
- Allergies and Intolerances: While allergies to breastmilk are highly unusual, babies can react to breastmilk when their mothers eat certain foods. It’s not always easy to figure out what’s causing this kind of allergy or intolerance. Alternatively, the list might be quite extensive and lead to an exclusionary, and potentially unhealthy, diet for the mother. Therefore, switching to formula milk could be a healthier option for both baby and mother.
- Not Enough Milk: There are many reasons for a mother not to produce or to stop producing enough milk. It could be biological, for example, linked to hormones, or physical difficulties linked to problematic latching. If a too-low milk supply is suspected then it’s necessary to talk to a doctor or lactation specialist. They can assist with reviewing viable options, for example, mixed feeding or switching to formula.
