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Although new mothers describe breastfeeding as a meaningful and fulfilling aspect of caring for their infants, breastfeeding is also a common source of stress and anxiety.\u00a0 Our most recent episode<\/a> of our podcast, So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs,<\/em> discusses many of the challenges that come with breastfeeding.<\/span><\/p>\n While many tout the positive impact of breastfeeding on emotional well-being, breastfeeding difficulties and mental health are closely linked, with problems around breastfeeding often increasing the risk of negative mental health outcomes for mothers. In addition, multiple studies have demonstrated a link between breastfeeding difficulties and postpartum depression<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to remember that there are many different ways to feed your baby.\u00a0 While the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child\u2019s life, breastfeeding does not always work out.\u00a0 In fact, only one in 4 women are able to reach this goal, and that\u2019s OK. There are other, perfectly acceptable options, and the\u00a0right<\/i>\u00a0choice is the one that works best for you and your baby.<\/p>\n Even when excellent support and resources are available, breastfeeding may not be successful, and for most mothers, this is experienced as a loss.\u00a0 During the postpartum period, when feeding is one of the key aspects of caring for an infant, not being able to breastfeed successfully is a major stressor and a challenge that may make a mother feel incompetent or ineffective in her new role as a mother.\u00a0 In this setting, mothers feel disappointment, grief, sadness, and often shame.<\/span><\/p>\n Given the impact breastfeeding difficulties may have on maternal competence, bonding and vulnerability to depression, we need to broaden our definition of lactation support.\u00a0 The primacy of exclusive breastfeeding creates a situation where anything short of that ideal feels like a failure.\u00a0 We need to help mothers to understand that while there are benefits to breastfeeding, it is but one element of mothering a new baby and that there are so many other things that mothers can do to promote bonding and well-being.\u00a0 We have to remind mothers that simply holding, touching, and communicating with their babies can have profound beneficial effects on the baby and the mother.<\/span><\/p>\n And finally, we strongly believe that supporting mothers in their efforts to breastfeed also means allowing or advising them to <\/span>stop<\/span><\/i> breastfeeding when they are having significant or unresolvable difficulties and helping them to feel comfortable with this decision.\u00a0 Far too often, <\/span>women feel ashamed and inadequate as mothers when they cannot (or choose not) to breastfeed<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Being a new mom is stressful enough, we don\u2019t have to make it worse.<\/span><\/p>\n Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Roth MC, Humphreys KL, King LS, Gotlib IH, Robakis TK. <\/span>Breastfeeding Difficulties Predict Mothers\u2019 Bonding with Their Infants from Birth to Age Six Months.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 Matern Child Health J. 2021 Feb 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rowles G, Keenan J, Wright NJ, Hughes K, Pearson R, Fawcett H, Braithwaite EC.\u00a0 <\/span>Investigating the impact of breastfeeding difficulties on maternal mental health.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 19;15(1):13572.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yuen M, Hall OJ, Masters GA, Nephew BC, Carr C, Leung K, Griffen A, McIntyre L, Byatt N, Moore Simas TA.\u00a0 <\/span>The Effects of Breastfeeding on Maternal Mental Health: A Systematic Review.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022 Jun; 31(6): 787-807.<\/span><\/p>\n Everyone Has an Opinion. Is There a \u201cRight\u201d Way to Feed My Baby?<\/a><\/p>\n Why we shouldn\u2019t demonize formula feeding<\/span><\/a> (Harvard Health Blog)<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m An Obstetrician And I Failed At Breast-Feeding<\/span><\/a> (NPR)<\/span><\/p>\nHow Breastfeeding Problems Can Impact Maternal Mental Health<\/span><\/h3>\n
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How Can We Best Support Those Experiencing Breastfeeding Difficulties?<\/span><\/h3>\n
References:<\/h3>\n
Listen to Our Podcast:<\/h3>\n
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