A new study published in the International Breastfeeding Journal suggests that breastfeeding may help new mothers avoid or reduce the severity of depression.

This research worked from the premise that "new mothers experience an increase in inflammation due to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines," and that "Common experiences associated with new motherhood, such as disturbed sleep and postpartum pain, can also act as stresses that cause pro-inflammatory levels to rise." (Wondering what a cytokine is? Me too. Click here for the basics.)

With new moms for whom breastfeeding is going well (and that's the clincher, isn't it??), the study found that "Breastfeeding can reduce women's stress levels, so that their inflammatory response systems remain inactive. This then reduces their risk of depression."

Here's the downside: When breastfeeding is difficult and or painful for the new mother, it can be more of a trigger for depression than a buffer. Study author Kathleen Kendall-Tackett's conclusion? "Mother's mental health is yet another reason to intervene quickly when breastfeeding difficulties arise."

Lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, and baby nurses/night nurses, who are often called in to help a family during early breastfeeding woes, really are on the front lines! They need to have a strong awareness of PPD and be able to make appropriate community referrals for moms who are struggling emotionally.

The study also cites exercise, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive therapy, St. John's Wort, and conventional antidepressant medications as treatments for depression that are anti-inflammatory.

Posted by Sarah M. at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (60) | TrackBacks (9)

Recently featured in ACOG Today, the members-only newsletter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:

A new recommendation, "Committee Opinion, Psychosocial Risk Factors: Perinatal Screening and Intervention," advises that ob/gyns should do a psycho-social screening on all women receiving prenatal care at least once per trimester, "because problems may arise during the pregnancy that were not present at the initial visit." They affirm that identifying psycho-social stressors in expectant moms' lives may help "reduce poor birth outcomes."

Thankfully, the committee also notes that "For screening to be effective, physicians should have a process for referrals in place. . .since developing a list of community resources helps physicians develop a referral network." The committee opinion continues, "Constructing a resource list is as straightforward as contacting local hospital social services departments and community centers. Office practice staff can compile this information and be assigned to keeping it up to date. It is also important to obtain feedback from patients and staff on their experiences with the various resources." (This would've been a prime opportunity for ACOG to build a few bridges, save physicians and their staff a lot of time, and serve their patients by mentioning local and state PSI coordinators, who volunteer their time to keep up-to-date resource lists, as well as in many cases leading peer support groups!)

This committee opinion was published in the August issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. And the document includes a well-regarded screening tool developed by the Healthy Start Program administered by Florida's state health department. (Questions from the tool are now included in ACOG's "Obstetric Medical History Form," for use by ob/gyns.)

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (2)