For the purpose of informing breastfeeding guidelines, a recently published comprehensive review of the existing research investigates the impact of nursing on the mental health of mothers. The findings of this research were presented in an article that was published in the Journal of Women’s Health, which is subject to academic review.
Breastfeeding was shown to be connected with better maternal mental health outcomes overall, according to the research conducted by Megan Yuen and Olivia Hall of the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, along with other researchers. Nursing was connected with unfavorable mental health outcomes, however, for mothers who had difficulty during breastfeeding or who had disparities between their expectations and their actual experience of breastfeeding.
The results
There were a total of 36 studies that looked at the correlation between breastfeeding and mental health and discovered that there was a statistically meaningful link between the two. Of those 36 studies, 29 found that breastfeeding was related to reduced mental health symptoms, and one study discovered that breastfeeding was correlated with enhanced maternal mental health symptomatology.
In 28 of the 34 studies that looked at the correlation between breastfeeding and postpartum depression symptoms, the researchers discovered that breastfeeding was correlated with a lower risk of developing postpartum depression symptoms.
Breastfeeding is usually linked to enhanced maternal mental health; however, it is possible for breastfeeding to have adverse effects on a mother’s mental health if she faces difficulties while breastfeeding or if breastfeeding does not live up to her expectations. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this fact in order to better customize breastfeeding and psychological counseling for their patients.
Why is breastfeeding important?
Breastfeeding is an important part of the care of all infants and is an unequaled way to provide ideal nutrition and health protection to babies. It has been linked to a reduced risk of many diseases in both mothers and children. It provides babies with essential nutrients and vitamins that they need to grow and thrive.
