Postpartum Depression Linked To Breastfeeding Pain, Difficulties

Women who are about to give birth and those who just gave birth are subject to postpartum depression regardless of race, age, social economic and educational background. However, there is more into this.

Delivering a baby can trigger expectant and new moms mixed emotions from excitement, joy, fear, anxiety to depression. According to Mayo Clinic, many new moms experience "postpartum baby blues" after giving birth, which includes mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and sleeping problems. This condition typically begins within the first two to three days after delivery and may last up to two weeks.

Postpartum depression is not a character flaw or weakness. The condition can simply be a complication of childbirth. However, for new moms out there do you know that your reason for stopping breastfeeding may affect your chances of acquiring the said condition?

According to a new U.K. study, women who quit breastfeeding due to pain or difficulty in getting their babies to nurse are at higher odds of developing postpartum depression compared to other moms who stop nursing for other reasons, Reuters has learned.

Pediatricians recommend moms to breastfeed their children until at least six months of age because doing so can reduce babies' risk of ear and respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome, allergy, childhood obesity and diabetes. At the same time, it will also benefit the breastfeeding moms. Longer periods of breastfeeding lower the risk of depression, bone deterioration, and certain cancers.

"Perhaps if new mums stop breastfeeding because they find it embarrassing or for lifestyle issues then they feel a personal benefit from doing so—maybe they're ready to stop," said lead author Amy Brown of Swansea University in Wales in an email.

"However, if they feel they have to do it because of pain or physical difficulties then they may not be so ready and really want to continue, but feel the choice has been taken away from them. They may also worry that they're doing it 'wrong' or in some way they are to blame."

Brown and colleagues analyzed questionnaires from 217 women who breastfeed but stopped before six months. Researchers considered the duration of the breastfeeding, the reason they quit and measured depression. The women under the study were 32 years old on average and most were married. They were employed with professional or managerial jobs and at least some have higher education.

Overall, the earlier women quit breastfeeding the higher their postpartum depression score was.

Pain, cracked nipples, breast infection, difficulty in producing milk and getting babies to latch on and suck properly are among the reasons for quitting that is associated with an increased risk of depression.

It's also possible that postpartum depression might lead women to perceive that breastfeeding is painful and difficult, the author noted. The study highlights the support women needs with the challenges they encounter in breastfeeding.