breastfeeding and mental health breastfeeding and mental health breastfeeding and mental health is the relationship between postpartum breastfeeding and the mother's and child's mental health. research indicates breastfeeding may have positive effects on the mother's and child's mental health, though there have been conflicting studies that question the correlation and causation of breastfeeding and maternal mental health. possible benefits include improved mood and stress levels in the mother, lower risk of postpartum depression, enhanced social emotional development in the child, stronger mother-child bonding and more. given the benefits of breastfeeding, the world health organization (who), the european commission for public health (ecph) and the american academy of pediatrics (aap) suggest exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. despite these suggestions, estimates indicate 70% of mothers breastfeed their child after birth and 13.5% of infants in the united states are exclusively breastfed. breastfeeding promotion and support for mothers who are experiencing difficulties or early cessation in breastfeeding is considered a health priority. young mother breastfeeding her child – 19th century painting by hortense haudebourt-lescot the exact nature of the relationship between breastfeeding and some aspects of mental health is still unclear to scientists. the causal links are uncertain due to the variability of how breastfeeding and its effects are measured across studies. there are complex interactions between numerous psychological, sociocultural and biochemical factors which are not yet fully understood. breastfeeding and mother's mental health articles related topregnancy and mental health overview antenatal depression psychiatric disorders of childbirth childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder postpartum blues postpartum depression postpartum psychosis gender disappointment breastfeeding and mental health miscarriage and mental illness pregnancy options counseling abortion and mental health infant mental health paternal depression benefits on mood and stress levels some studies indicate that breastfeeding positively influences the mother's mental and emotional wellbeing as it improves mood and stress levels, and it is referred to as a 'stress buffer' for mothers during the postpartum period. however, other studies indicate that the stress of breastfeeding may have a negative impact on maternal mental health, especially when presented in an all-or-none, "breast is best" manner. the activity facilitates a calmer psychological state and decreases feelings of anxiousness, negative emotions and stress. this is reflected in their physiological response to breastfeeding, where the mother's cardiac vagal tone modulation enhances, and blood pressure and heart rate decreases. the stress-buffering effect of breastfeeding results from the hormones oxytocin and prolactin. mothers who breastfeed experience enhanced sleep duration and quality, while instances of sleep disturbances are decreased. the activity positively influences how mothers respond to social situations, which facilitates improved relationships and interactions. mothers who engage in breastfeeding respond less to negative facial expressions (e.g. anger) and increase their response to positive facial expressions (e.g. happiness). breastfeeding also help mothers feel confident and empowered given the knowledge that breastfeeding is beneficial to their child. postpartum depression