Breastfeeding is the method of choice for feeding infants and the World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

However, the relationship between breastfeeding and PND is as complex as breastfeeding and PND are in their own rights. There is no clear relationship between the two as it depends on the interaction between the individual mother and her experience of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is more complex than a baby feeding at his/her mother's breast. There are many biopsychosocial factors involved that play a significant part in the mother's successful experience of breastfeeding. For the mother with PND these factors can become more important as it could be any of these factors that are contributing to PND that will make breastfeeding more difficult. When supporting a mother with PND who is struggling to breastfeed it may be some of these factors that need to be addressed. It is not advisable to assume that the breastfeeding is the problem and there is no one solution for the mother. Recommending that she give up breastfeeding because of PND may not be helpful.

For example:

Confidence in her body's ability to breastfeed

Trust in her decisions and desires about breastfeeding

Clear thinking to remember her breastfeeding knowledge and to problem solve

Ability to advocate for herself and her baby

Confidence and self assuredness to seek help

Emotional and physical energy to persevere

Emotional and physical energy to be available to her baby

Attuned to her baby's subtle communications about his needs

Ability to sit with the unknown and the unpredictable.

Breastfeeding for the mother with PND can be a positive experience and have a positive impact on her PND if she feels that breastfeeding:

• is the only thing that is going right
• is the one thing only she can do for her baby
• the only time she can sit and relax
• is an opportunity for her to touch and nurture her baby

For some mothers with PND breastfeeding can be less than a positive experience. Her symptoms of PND can start to improve with weaning if she feels that:

• breastfeeding is too demanding of her physically, emotionally or in time
• her baby doesn't like it or her
• she can't cope with her baby's dependence on her
• she can't cope with the pain and discomfort
• she can't provide enough for her baby
• what's the point of it if her baby settles on the bottle.

If you wish to obtain a copy of the publication, follow this link: Postnatal Depression and Breastfeeding