Depression, Postpartum and Breastfeeding

My friend Pec Indman, who co-wrote the book, Beyond the Blues, has helped me better understand many of the triggers that can lead to postpartum depression.  Not surprisingly, when the reality of an experience doesn’t match up with our expectations, many different emotions can arise including depression, anger and shame.  Combine some significant sleep deprivation with an unexpected outcome like an emergency C-Section or the inability to breastfeed and emotions can spiral downwards and lead to post-partum depression.
 
I’ve known many moms who visited lactation consultants, drank every mother’s milk tea ever made, pumped until they were raw, and still they weren’t able to breastfeed. The sense of loss and grief are very real. Many women feel “betrayed” by their bodies if breastfeeding doesn’t work out despite all of their efforts and hard work.  Well meaning friends and family may try to offer solace and reassurance, and yet not being able to breastfeed the baby may contribute to depression. For more information on postpartum depression go to postpartum.net
 

(This blog was first published in 2008)