Postpartum Depression (PPD) effects one in seven women after giving birth. The symptoms of PPD do not just impact the mother herself, but also the child. Some of the ways it can impact a child long-term are: sleep issues, developmental delays, and emotional disturbances. If the bonding time provided by breastfeeding is helping a mother overcome her symptoms, then breastfeeding should be a direct part of her recovery model. However, if the practice has the opposite effect, the mother should not feel guilty for having to discontinue breastfeeding.
Key Takeaways:
- It is estimated that postpartum depression occurs in 1 in 7 women and while the mother might have a mental problem, it does not stop her breastfeeding.
- A mother’s mental health is important not only to the mother but also to the baby because she might not be able to provide the nurturing the baby needs.
- Pediatricians are trained most times to look after the children, but sometimes their call of duty involves their taking care of the parents.
“Most women typically only have 1-2 postpartum visits with their obstetricians, where depression screening may not always occur. Since a pediatrician can see a baby up to 6 times within the first 6 months of life, they are probably in the best position to identify mothers suffering from PPD.”
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