Breastfeeding is associated with changes in the sleep and wake cycles for both the mother and the infant. These changes help to reduce fatigue in the mother and may even prevent symptoms of depression.
Human breastmilk contains oxytocin and this hormone is also released in the child due to physical contact and warmth during breastfeeding. Increased levels of oxytocin promotes social and emotional development, and this facilitates lower levels of aggression and other antisocial behaviours.
In addition to providing physical benefits through critical nutrients, research shows that breastfeeding also has a deep and lasting effect on thought and understanding, behavior, and mental health in children. For instance, babies who are breastfed are likely to have: Stronger critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Some studies have identified that a longer breastfeeding duration is significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression (Borra et al, 2015; Webber and Benedict, 2019) and further studies have identified breastfeeding as a possible long-term protective factor against later symptoms of depression in ...
The Benefits and Potential Harms of Breastfeeding
Consequently, breastfeeding mothers are more likely to report positive mood, less anxiety, and increased calm compared to formula feeding mothers (1, 8).
Key Points. In mothers, breastfeeding is associated with increased maternal sensitivity, reduced reactivity to stress, enhanced slow wave sleep, and reduced risk of postpartum depression. Stress and depression in mothers can also interfere with breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding can protect against Postnatal Depression
She reports that “rates of depression are lower in breastfeeding mothers than their non- breastfeeding counterparts”2. She also notes that “breastfeeding is protective of maternal mental health because it reduces the stress response”.
Children who are breastfed for three months or more develop fewer behavioural difficulties than those who are not, research suggests. They are less prone to social and emotional setbacks such as bouts of anxiety, struggles forming friendships, or problems with concentration, the study found.
The Science Behind Breastfeeding and Early Brain Development
Breastmilk also supports healthy brain development and is consistently associated with higher performance on intelligence tests among children and adolescents across all income levels.
Breastfeeding was positively associated with IQ performance in children and adolescents. On an average, more breastfed participants had high IQ scores than non-breastfed participants (19).
Evidence, in general, is consistent with the hypothesis that LC-PUFAs in breast milk may enhance cognitive development (15). In humans, children who are breastfed have higher IQs than children not fed breast milk (16, 17), and this advantage persists into adulthood (17).
Breastfed babies cry more, laugh less, and generally have "more challenging temperaments" than formula-fed infants, a study has found. But such behaviour is normal, and mothers should learn to cope with it rather than reach for the bottle, according to researchers.
Previous studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding is associated with lower odds of having autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children, but data are lacking in Asian countries, especially China.
Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs. Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby.
Breastmilk or infant formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition for around the first year of life. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond.
Some researchers suggest that it only appears that breastfeeding is responsible for the increase in intelligence and problem-solving skills, but that's not the case. Instead, the reason breastfed children do better is because they are more likely to grow up in an environment that supports cognitive development.
While a baby, toddler, or child is latched on, some mothers suffer from negative feelings or intrusive thoughts. This is a phenomenon called breastfeeding aversion and agitation. It is a rarely discussed topic as many women do not want to talk openly about it or are perhaps afraid to share these feelings.
There are good reasons your infant grins up at you while they are nursing. Thirst quenching and sweet early in the feeding, high in fat and satisfying at the end of the feeding, uniquely designed to meet developmental needs, easily digestible; breastmilk has been termed the “perfect” food for infants.
I've had several moms ask me if they can transfer their anxiety to their babies by breastfeeding. The good news is no. Actually, continuing to breastfeed their babies will help their anxiety, and it's a great bonding experience for both mom and baby.
New research shows how breastfeeding lowers mothers' risk of depression, helps them get more sleep, and overcome past adversity. Each year, hundreds of thousands of mothers worldwide become depressed after giving birth.
Stress and Breastfeeding
The hormones that your body releases when you breastfeed can promote relaxation and feelings of love and bonding. Research shows that breastfeeding can significantly reduce physiological and subjective stress. 4 So there is good reason to keep breastfeeding if you can.
Participants who had been breastfed scored lower in neuroticism, anxiety, and hostility and higher in openness and optimism than those not breastfed.
An infant's intestinal tract responds to its mother's milk by sprouting receptors that detect the hormone, activating neurochemical signals that can travel all the way to the brain. These signals may influence a baby's stress response and the development of brain regions that regulate emotions such as fear and anxiety.
As long as a child receives adequate complementary foods, there are no medical drawbacks to breastfeeding beyond the age of 1 year. However, people may face obstacles to nursing, especially if they do not have family or social support.