Beyond the Bump: Breastfeeding's Unseen Impact on Perinatal Mental Health

By Dr. Ivy M. Bagley, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-C, IBCLC, CDP, ASDCS, NHDP-BC, PMH-BC, PMHNP

As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Lactation Consultant, I occupy a unique space where the physical and emotional worlds of new parents often intersect. World Breastfeeding Week typically highlights the profound nutritional and immunological benefits for infants, and rightly so. However, I want to shine a light on a trending, yet often overlooked, aspect: the intricate relationship between breastfeeding and maternal mental health.

The postpartum period is a time of immense change, vulnerability, and sometimes, unexpected emotional turmoil. While breastfeeding can be a source of profound bonding and oxytocin-fueled well-being for many, it can also be a significant source of stress, anxiety, and even contribute to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders for others.

Consider the parent struggling with low milk supply, latch difficulties, or painful feeding. The immense pressure to "succeed" at breastfeeding, coupled with sleep deprivation and hormonal shifts, can quickly spiral into feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and depression. On the other side, unexpected weaning or the inability to breastfeed for various reasons can also trigger feelings of grief and loss, impacting a parent's mental state.

My work emphasizes a holistic approach. It’s not just about getting the baby to feed; it’s about supporting the whole parent. To achieve this we have to have open conversations about expectations, validating struggles, and screening for PMADs during lactation consultations. It means providing practical strategies for managing breastfeeding challenges, while also ensuring that parents understand the importance of prioritizing their mental well-being, even if it means adjusting their feeding goals.

The "sustainable support systems" that the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week theme calls for must include robust mental health resources integrated directly into lactation support. This could look like collaborative care models where lactation consultants and mental health providers work hand-in-hand, or widespread training for lactation professionals on basic mental health screening and referral. When we support a parent's mental health, we create a more nurturing environment for the entire family, regardless of their feeding journey.