Time recently reported on a new study finding that women who struggle to breastfeed in the first two weeks after giving birth are more likely to struggle with postpartum depression. For researchers, the study has sparked something of a "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" conundrum, unable to determine whether depressed moms have a harder time breast feeding in general, or whether the inability itself drives the depression.
In the study, "women who reported dissatisfaction with breast-feeding early on were 42% more likely to have postpartum depression two months after delivery compared with women who enjoyed breast-feeding. Mothers who initially experienced severe breast pain initially and at two weeks postpartum were twice as likely to be depressed as pain-free women. Depression, in general, has been linked to increased pain sensitivity, which may explain why depressed women have more pain while breast-feeding."
As a mom who breastfed for an entire year, I will be the first to say that I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of breast milk. That said, I went into breastfeeding with a "formula is not an option" attitude. While my commitment to make it work proved valuable and kept me pressing through those first hellish days of burning, enormous boobs, bleeding nips and latching problems, hindsight is 20/20. Truth be told, I'm not sure that I wasn't a little too hard on myself. While many new moms bask in the joy of first time motherhood, I was EXHAUSTED, FRUSTRATED, and essentially, was a prisoner to lactation every two hours, for the first several months of my sons' life. I'm glad I did it now, but looking back, I wonder if I could have enjoyed those precious days a little more, and stressed alot less, had I just gone the way of formula.
The fact of the matter is, breastfeeding is not easy, and for many moms, it certainly isn't pain-free. Yes, it gets much easier in time, and like anything worth doing, takes some learning. Before you know it, "pumping" and "nursing" is second nature. However, I advise all new moms to go with the flow, and not beat themselves up if nursing isn't going as intended. Take advantage of the resources available to you, whether it is a lactation consultant, or new mom support group. If you can breastfeed, it's a great gift to give your baby, and its benefits last a lifetime. But, being a happy, loving mom is w If you can't have both, cut yourself a break and focus on what is best for BOTH of you.
In the study, "women who reported dissatisfaction with breast-feeding early on were 42% more likely to have postpartum depression two months after delivery compared with women who enjoyed breast-feeding. Mothers who initially experienced severe breast pain initially and at two weeks postpartum were twice as likely to be depressed as pain-free women. Depression, in general, has been linked to increased pain sensitivity, which may explain why depressed women have more pain while breast-feeding."
As a mom who breastfed for an entire year, I will be the first to say that I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of breast milk. That said, I went into breastfeeding with a "formula is not an option" attitude. While my commitment to make it work proved valuable and kept me pressing through those first hellish days of burning, enormous boobs, bleeding nips and latching problems, hindsight is 20/20. Truth be told, I'm not sure that I wasn't a little too hard on myself. While many new moms bask in the joy of first time motherhood, I was EXHAUSTED, FRUSTRATED, and essentially, was a prisoner to lactation every two hours, for the first several months of my sons' life. I'm glad I did it now, but looking back, I wonder if I could have enjoyed those precious days a little more, and stressed alot less, had I just gone the way of formula.
The fact of the matter is, breastfeeding is not easy, and for many moms, it certainly isn't pain-free. Yes, it gets much easier in time, and like anything worth doing, takes some learning. Before you know it, "pumping" and "nursing" is second nature. However, I advise all new moms to go with the flow, and not beat themselves up if nursing isn't going as intended. Take advantage of the resources available to you, whether it is a lactation consultant, or new mom support group. If you can breastfeed, it's a great gift to give your baby, and its benefits last a lifetime. But, being a happy, loving mom is w If you can't have both, cut yourself a break and focus on what is best for BOTH of you.
