Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce stress and protect maternal mood. Breastfeeding also reduces stress of babies of depressed mothers and protects them from the harmful effects of maternal depression. Treatment approaches that are anti-inflammatory have efficacy in treating depression. These include EPA and DHA, exercise, cognitive therapy, herbal anti-depressants such as St. John’s wort, and standard antidepressants.

Unfortunately, many breastfeeding mothers will get poor medical advice from their doctors about the benefits and risks of traditional anti-depressant medications or alternative depression treatments while breastfeeding.

Treatment Options for Postpartum Depression in Breastfeeding Mothers

Check out these resources for information:

~ the study quoted above: Kendall-Tackett, K. “A New Paradigm for Depression in New Mothers: the Central Role of Inflammation and How Breastfeeding and Anti-Inflammatory Treatments Protect Maternal Mental Health.” International Breastfeeding Journal. 2007, 2:6 (March 30, 2007).

~ Thomas W. Hale Ph.D.’s Medications Forum

~ the lactation and medication LactMed database

~ the American Academy of Pediatrics Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals into Human Milk

~ Kellymom.com on alternative treatments for postpartum depression

~ Kellymom.com on psychiatric medications and breastfeeding

Technical Resources for Medical Professionals and Others:

~ Depression In New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, And Treatment Alternatives by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., IBCLC; see La Leche League book review here.

~ The latest edition of the drug and lactation guide Medications and Mothers’ Milk by Thomas W. Hale, Ph.D.

More on Mental Health

For more posts on mental health, see the mental health theme day round-up by Alicia at Mental Health Notes.

Your Experience

Breastfeeding mothers, please feel free to leave a comment about your personal experience with depression. As always, I remind mothers to consult a physician when considering any treatment (traditional or alternative) while breastfeeding.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3