The Relationship Between Postpartum Mental Status and Breastfeeding

Maternal mental health in postpartum period is an important issue as breast milk and breastfeeding. The mother’s physical and mental health is critical for long term breastfeeding and to give efficient care to baby. Maternal mental impairment results in insufficient feeding and disturbances in physical health of the baby. Women with depressive symptoms have been shown to fail to begin and continue breastfeeding. It is critical to diagnose and treat maternal depression to decrease negative outcomes of feeding in addition to education and support for efficient breastfeeding. During education for breastfeeding, determining accurate targets, case-concerned approaches and giving education for mothers and their relatives for diagnosis of probable complications is crucial for both mother and her baby.