According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 11 and 20 percent of women who give birth each year on U.S. soil develop symptoms of postpartum depression.

It's also the leading risk factor for suicide and for the killing of a child. There are about 4 million births in the U.S. each year, which adds up to nearly 800,000 women at risk of postpartum depression.
Researchers from the College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University are the first to look for a link between breastfeeding and the risk of postpartum depression, interviewing 29,685 women living across 26 states.

The results of the study, published in the journal Public Health Nursing and on Neuroscience News, show that postpartum depression is a significant mental-health issue, with nearly 13% of the sample at risk.
As the number of weeks women breastfeed increased, their postpartum depression decreased.

Sadness, anxiety, exhaustion

Women suffering from postpartum depression — which sets in within four weeks to 12 months after giving birth — endure prolonged sadness, anxiety, and extreme fatigue. Women with untreated postpartum depression can also experience negative consequences from the condition, including difficulty bonding with and caring for their children, and thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. They are also at heightened risk of substance abuse.

Dr. Christine Toledo, senior author and assistant professor at the College of Nursing.



Risks of postpartum depression

Women who have experienced postpartum depression have a 50% increased risk of further postpartum depression episodes in subsequent births. In addition, they have a 25% increased risk of further depressive disorders unrelated to childbirth, up to 11 years afterwards. Postpartum depression increases maternal morbidity and is linked to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

The data from this important study shows that breastfeeding not only saves the mother money but also benefits her mental health, since it can reduce a woman's risk of postpartum depression.

Dr. Safiya George, dean of Florida Atlantic University's College of Nursing.

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