Breastfeeding And Postpartum Depression | Hea Boosters
Are you a new mom? Have you ever felt guilty for not wanting to take care of your baby or feed them or have you feel that you have been a failure? If yes, then there is no need to be ashamed of it. PPD or postpartum depression can affect a lot of moms but in different levels.
What triggers PPD? To understand better, we have mentioned some triggers that could cause PPD in new moms.
Most women commonly just have 1-2 post-pregnancy visits with their obstetricians, where mental screening may not generally happen. However, a pediatrician sees your child up to multiple times for the first six months of their life chances are they could identify if a mom is experiencing PPD.
Inability to breastfeed and guilt:
Many women have raised breastfeeding concerns when they are suffering from postpartum depression. If you are suffering from PPD, it is normal for you to avoid breastfeeding sessions.
Breastfeeding is one of the times that promotes happiness in both mother and child. It allows you to connect with your baby and understand their cues, but when you are not happy mentally, these pure acts of joy can also feel like a burden to you, which is completely normal.
In case breastfeeding is helping a mother bond with her child without adding any more issues to her already tormented stage, then her PPD treatment should be built around developing a healthy breastfeeding relationship. In case breastfeeding is adding to a mother's PPD symptoms, she should not be remorseful if she decides to look for other options to help feed her baby and take care of them.
Medication and breastfeeding:
Treatment for PPD commonly incorporates a mix of antidepressants along with psychological treatment. Apart from talking to the doctors, you can also seek support from friends, try support groups, and rest is a significant part of treatment.
Conclusion:
All babies deserve a mother who is 100% involved in their upbringing and showers them with love and affection. If you are unable to do that, then it's not a problem, not every person can be what society expects them to be from the first day.
Learn to take time and heal, because when you are of a sound mind you will be able to take care of yourself and your baby much better.
If you are feeling discouraged during pregnancy or after having your baby, don't experience it alone. Tell a friend or family member what you are going through and seek professional help right now.
Studies:
1. Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: An Overview and Methodological Recommendations for Future Research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4842365/
2. The relationship between postpartum depression and breastfeeding
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22978082/
3. New Evidence on Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: The Importance of Understanding Women’s Intentions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4353856/
4. Comparison Of Prevalence Of Postpartum Depression Symptoms Between Breastfeeding Mothers And Non-breastfeeding Mothers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3428639/
What triggers PPD? To understand better, we have mentioned some triggers that could cause PPD in new moms.
Reasons for PPD:
1. Physical changes:
Every mom after childbirth, suffers from a variety of physical changes and sometimes these changes can simply be too much for them to accept. During pregnancy your body produces too much estrogen and progesterone hormones, however, after delivery, there is a sudden drop in the level of these hormones which can also lead to PPD. Your thyroid gland may produce other hormones slowly, which could make you feel sleepy, exhausted, and depressed.2. Emotional issues:
After you have delivered your baby and brought them you not only does your body undergo a huge change but your mind does too. Not only you're sleep deprived, stressed (if it is your first baby), and overwhelmed, you are afraid to make even the smallest of problems. You are constantly questioning your every move, whether it is okay or not. All of this could add to mental stress and lead to PPD.How postpartum depression effects baby:
There is no denying that a mother's emotional wellness is significant—as far as she might be concerned, yet it also affects her child. If you are restless and stressed, chances are you might not be able to feed your baby properly. Postpartum depression affects the mental state of a woman and her inability to connect with her child. She is might not be able to cuddle her baby, connect with them, or even associate herself with her child—putting not only her but her baby to several physical problems, for example,- Failure to flourish, both mom and baby,
- Delayed development of child due lack of breastfeeding,
- Challenges in sleeping and resting,
- Inability to connect socially,
- Inability to learn her child’s cues.
Recognizing Postpartum depression:
Although in India, there is no proper screening when it comes to postpartum depression, however, sometimes your baby’s pediatricians who are always treating kids can help parents understand the signs of PPD in mothers.Most women commonly just have 1-2 post-pregnancy visits with their obstetricians, where mental screening may not generally happen. However, a pediatrician sees your child up to multiple times for the first six months of their life chances are they could identify if a mom is experiencing PPD.
Inability to breastfeed and guilt:
Many women have raised breastfeeding concerns when they are suffering from postpartum depression. If you are suffering from PPD, it is normal for you to avoid breastfeeding sessions.
Breastfeeding is one of the times that promotes happiness in both mother and child. It allows you to connect with your baby and understand their cues, but when you are not happy mentally, these pure acts of joy can also feel like a burden to you, which is completely normal.
In case breastfeeding is helping a mother bond with her child without adding any more issues to her already tormented stage, then her PPD treatment should be built around developing a healthy breastfeeding relationship. In case breastfeeding is adding to a mother's PPD symptoms, she should not be remorseful if she decides to look for other options to help feed her baby and take care of them.
Medication and breastfeeding:
Treatment for PPD commonly incorporates a mix of antidepressants along with psychological treatment. Apart from talking to the doctors, you can also seek support from friends, try support groups, and rest is a significant part of treatment.
Conclusion:
All babies deserve a mother who is 100% involved in their upbringing and showers them with love and affection. If you are unable to do that, then it's not a problem, not every person can be what society expects them to be from the first day.
Learn to take time and heal, because when you are of a sound mind you will be able to take care of yourself and your baby much better.
If you are feeling discouraged during pregnancy or after having your baby, don't experience it alone. Tell a friend or family member what you are going through and seek professional help right now.
Studies:
1. Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: An Overview and Methodological Recommendations for Future Research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4842365/
2. The relationship between postpartum depression and breastfeeding
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22978082/
3. New Evidence on Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: The Importance of Understanding Women’s Intentions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4353856/
4. Comparison Of Prevalence Of Postpartum Depression Symptoms Between Breastfeeding Mothers And Non-breastfeeding Mothers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3428639/