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Postpartum Depression and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can counter the effects of depression in new mothers.

Studies published in the International Breastfeeding Journal, conducted by University of New Hampshire researcher Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, has found evidence supporting a connection between breast feeding and mental health for mothers.

Childbearing women are at significant risk of developing depression thought to be related to proinflammatory cytokines that arise during the last trimester of pregnancy. Additional stressors during new motherhood such as sleep loss, physical discomfort, and psychological trauma can also trigger an inflammatory response. Previous research has found that breastfeeding reduces stress by calming nerves, decreasing reactivity, and increasing nurturing behavior. The connection between stress and the mother's inflammatory response suggests that breastfeeding can deter the onset of postpartum depression.

In addition to breastfeeding, a good way to counter postpartum depression is through diet and exercise. Exercising 2-3 times a week has been found to reduce depression, as well as anger and stress. With diets, omega-6 fatty acids (found in vegetable oils) along with omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oils) lower proinflammatory cytokines. Breast feeding has many other benefits, including providing optimal nutrition for the infant, and lowering the lifetime risk of breast cancer for the mother.

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