Breastfeeding Effects on Mental Health of Baby and Mother
Breastfeeding has been linked to positive effects on mental health and psychological and cognitive development. While River Root is presenting this information for the benefit of our communities, River Root supports women’s and family’s choices and needs around providing nutrition for their infants. And please, read ahead for discussion on how to bond with your child during bottle feeding sessions.
Breastfeeding Effect on Cognitive skill and brain development
There are many studies from around the world that provide evidence for a connection between breastfeeding experience and cognitive development later in life, including improved memory retention, greater language skills, and intelligence. The initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth has also been argued to play a role in reducing the risk for cognitive impairment among children. There is also some evidence to demonstrate that breastfeeding experience during infancy impacts cognitive abilities well beyond infancy, even into adulthood.
Taken together, findings about brain development suggest that elements of breast milk itself, particularly LC-PUFAs, likely contribute to enhanced patterns of myelination in the developing brain, but they do not fully account for the reported effects of breastfeeding on brain development. Therefore, there must be multiple factors that contribute to the seen effects of breastfeeding, some of which are not known yet.
Breastfeeding Effect on Social and emotional development
The evidence about the association between breastfeeding is mixed and may depend on the specific characteristic in question. Some of these have been found to have long term effects. For example, a study following adults from 20 to 40 years of age found significantly increased hostile (aggressive) behavior in adults who were not breastfed as infants compared to those who were breastfed.
There is accumulating evidence to suggest that the absence or short duration of exclusive breastfeeding might be associated with the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairments. In general, breastfeeding experience has been associated with improved cognitive abilities, facilitated brain development, and a reduced risk for antisocial behaviors and atypical social development including ASD. However, there are several issues to keep in mind when considering this line of research including that breastfeeding as the independent variable is often measured differently across studies, which makes it difficult to compare them.
Psychological effects of breastfeeding in mothers
The impact of breastfeeding on affect, mood, and stress in mothers
Breastfeeding has also been reported to impact mood and stress in mothers. Specifically, breastfeeding mothers report reduced anxiety, negative mood, and stress when compared to formula-feeding mothers. In addition, breastfeeding mothers have stronger cardiac vagal tone modulation, reduced blood pressure, and reduced heart rate than formula-feeding mothers.
Breastfeeding and mother–infant attachment
Breastfeeding is thought to facilitate maternal reactivity and secure attachment between mother and child. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed tend to touch their infants more, are more responsive to their babies, and spend more time in mutual gaze with infants during feedings than bottle-feeding mother–infant do.
What if you can’t breastfeed?
But what do you do when breastfeeding is physically impossible, you can’t produce enough milk, support is not there, you’re taking medications, your work schedule interferes, or breastfeeding just isn’t working psychologically for you? If you’re struggling with physical challenges a lactation consultant or postpartum doula may be of assistance. But if you still decide, for whatever reason, that breastfeeding isn’t working for you, don’t despair, you can still bond with your baby. We’ve gathered some information on how to handle the decision and feelings surrounding it as well as how to bond with your baby.
First, if you were set on breastfeeding from the beginning the decision to not breastfeed may feel like failing. Take time to let yourself grief that loss, be mad, or work through whatever feelings you may be experiencing. Make sure to talk about your feelings with your lactation consultant, doula, pediatrician, or other healthcare or mental health professional. Partners and friends can also be great supports as these may be the people that know you best. Breastfeeding challenges can contribute to postpartum mood disorders including postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety (PPA), so stay aware of your mental state. Other options include donated breast milk. But most importantly know that it’s normal to feel some guilt about these decisions, but don’t stay stuck in these feelings.
Bond with your baby during feedings. Cuddle them next to your chest as you would during breastfeeding. Stroke their heads and look into their faces. Make physical and eye contact with them during feedings. This will increase the bond between you and your baby and help them feel secure and loved.
Talk to your child and respond when they cry. How often you hold your child, have skin-to-skin contact, make eye contact, talk to them, play with them, and how you parent will likely ultimately make more of a difference than which milk/formula you are giving them.
Here at River Root we value research and objective data. Although there are many benefits of breastfeeding, we support you in however you choose to feed your baby and know that only you, the parent, can make the decision of what is the best feeding method for you and your family.
If you’re formula feeding and are in need, especially in the Uniontown, OH area, go to our blog post on supporting families through the formula shortage here.
In health,
Danielle Older, MSW, LISW-S, CCTP
Danielle is one of our maternal mental health therapists and the founder of River Root Counseling. Her therapeutic style is individual, evidence-based, and unique to best serve each individual client. Danielle will work with you, at your pace, cheering you on and empowering you as you accomplish your therapeutic goals. Danielle values the therapeutic relationship and works to make each session beneficial and helpful for her clients. Danielle is a mother herself and understands the roller coaster that parenting, and motherhood, can sometimes feel like.
Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (Ohio) – I.2002068-SUPV
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Bachelor’s of Social Work – University of Akron
Master’s in Social Work – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
For information and appointment call River Root at 330-595-4563.