Breastfeeding and Mental Health: There Is Space for Both

August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the many health benefits that breastfeeding can offer for both infants and parents. While breastfeeding can be a meaningful and rewarding experience for many families, everyone’s feeding journey is unique. For some, breastfeeding may come with unexpected physical and emotional challenges. As parents navigate the postpartum period, caring for their mental health is just as important as caring for their own physical health and the health of their baby.

How Breastfeeding Can Support Emotional Wellbeing

Breastfeeding provides more than essential nutrients for infants, it can also promote emotional wellbeing for both parent and baby. During breastfeeding, the body releases oxytocin, which is sometimes referred to as the “bonding hormone”. Oxytocin supports feelings of closeness, trust, and attachment between parent and infant. It has also been linked to reduced feelings of anxiety and stress postpartum. For some parents, hormonal changes may also contribute to an increased sense of confidence and positive emotions.

Breastfeeding also creates an increased opportunity for skin-to-skin contact, which plays a large role in emotional bonding. Skin-to-skin contact helps infants feel safe and secure while supporting healthy attachment. Although skin-to-skin contact often occurs during breastfeeding, these benefits can occur regardless of how the baby is fed.

For many parents, breastfeeding can provide a sense of accomplishment, foster positive emotions, and support a healthy attachment. On the other hand, every family's experience is different. Some parents may experience stress, frustration, or disappointment if breastfeeding is difficult or not possible due to medical, physical, or personal reasons. There is no "right" way to feed your baby. Whether you breastfeed, formula feed, or use a combination of both, what matters most is that both you and your baby are healthy and supported.

When Breastfeeding Feels More Complicated Than Expected

Breastfeeding is not always easy. Many parents feel pressure from society, family members , healthcare providers, and even themselves to breastfeed. While breastfeeding can offer many benefits, these expectations can leave parents feeling sad, anxious, and overwhelmed when their feeding journey does not go as planned.

When breastfeeding does not go as expected, it is common for parents to experience feelings of guilt, frustration, or inadequacy. These emotional challenges can make breastfeeding feel even more overwhelming, just as breastfeeding difficulties can increase stress and emotional distress. This can create a difficult cycle that leaves many parents feeling discouraged.

Many parents are educated about the benefits of breastfeeding but receive less information about the common challenges they may encounter. Difficulties such as pain during feeding, latching concerns, milk supply issues, and sleep deprivation are common, yet many parents are unprepared for them. As a result, they may feel that they are doing something wrong or that they have failed.

Parents may also worry increased feelings of anxiety and depression will negatively affect their milk supply, that they are not producing enough milk, or their milk is not good enough. These concerns can increase feelings of anxiety postpartum. The stigma surrounding postpartum mental health and breastfeeding make it difficult for parents to seek help or talk about these experiences.

Finding Support Along the Way

If breastfeeding is affecting your emotional wellbeing, know that you do not have to navigate these challenges alone. Support from partners, family, healthcare providers, lactation consultants, and mental health professionals can make a meaningful impact. Reaching out for help can provide guidance, reassurance, and emotional support, while also helping parents feel more confident in their feeding decisions. Every family’s needs are different, seeking out support is an important step in caring for both yourself and your baby.

Making Space for Your Own Feeding Journey

Although breastfeeding has many benefits, no parent should feel judged or pressured about how they choose to feed their baby. Whether breastfeeding comes easily, feels challenging, or is not the right fit for your family, you deserve balanced information, compassionate support, and the opportunity to make informed decisions that are best for both yourself and your baby. It is important to remember prioritizing mental health as a parent is an important part of caring for your baby. Reaching out for support can make a meaningful difference, and help is available.

References

Billings, H., Horsman, J., Soltani, H., & Spencer, R. L. (2024). Breastfeeding experiences of women with perinatal mental health problems: a systematic review and thematic synthesis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 24(1), 582. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06735-1

Grattan, R. E., London, S. M., & Bueno, G. E. (2024). Perceived pressure to breastfeed negatively impacts postpartum mental health outcomes over time. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1357965. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1357965

Modak, A., Ronghe, V., Gomase, K. P., & Dukare, K. P. (2023). The psychological benefits of breastfeeding: fostering maternal well-being and child development. Cureus, 15(10).