Breastfeeding Linked to Lower Risk of Long-Term Depression and Anxiety, Irish Study Finds
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A new study suggests that breastfeeding may offer a sustained shield against depression and anxiety for mothers, extending up to a decade after childbirth.
New research from University College Dublin (UCD) indicates a compelling link between breastfeeding duration and a reduced likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety years after pregnancy. The findings, published in BMJ Open, add to a growing body of evidence supporting the mental health benefits of breastfeeding, extending beyond the immediate postpartum period.
Long-Term Mental Wellbeing and Lactation
The study, led by Prof. Fionnuala McAuliffe, director of the UCD Perinatal Research Center, tracked the health and breastfeeding habits of 168 second-time mothers over a 10-year period following pregnancy. Researchers utilized data from the ROLO Longitudinal Birth Cohort study, following up with participants at intervals of three and six months, and then at two, five, and ten years after birth.
Mothers completed detailed health questionnaires at each check-up, reporting on diagnoses and treatment for depression and/or anxiety, and also lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity. They also provided comprehensive data on their breastfeeding experiences, including duration of exclusive breastfeeding, any breastfeeding, and cumulative periods exceeding 12 months.
key Findings: Duration Matters
the analysis revealed a significant correlation between breastfeeding and long-term mental health. Women who reported experiencing depression or anxiety at the 10-year mark were demonstrably less likely to have breastfed, and those who did breastfeed tended to do so for shorter durations.
specifically, researchers found that each week of lifetime exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 2% lower likelihood of reporting depression and anxiety, even after accounting for factors like alcohol consumption.Nearly three-quarters of the women (73%; 122) reported having breastfed at some point, with an average duration of 30.5 weeks for any breastfeeding. More than a third (37.5%; 63) breastfed for a cumulative period of at least 12 months.
“The finding that breastfeeding may reduce mothers’ later life chance of depression and anxiety is very exciting and is another great reason to support our mothers to breastfeed,” Prof. McAuliffe stated.
Observational Study,Multifactorial causes
It’s significant to note that this research is observational in nature,meaning it cannot definitively prove a cause-and-effect relationship. Though, the team suggests a potential “protective effect of successful breastfeeding on postpartum depression and anxiety, which in turn lowers the risk of maternal depression and anxiety in the longer term.”
Researchers acknowledge the complex interplay of factors influencing both breastfeeding and mental health. Socioeconomic and cultural influences, as well as a prior history of depression and anxiety impacting breastfeeding success, all contribute to the observed association. The study also noted that women reporting depression/anxiety at the 10-year check-up were younger, less physically active, and had lower wellbeing scores at the study’s outset.
broader Implications for Public Health
The findings underscore the potential for promoting breastfeeding as a public health strategy with far-reaching benefits. Researchers point to existing evidence demonstrating that increased breastfeeding rates and duration can improve maternal health outcomes,reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease,and lessening the overall disease burden on healthcare systems.
“The possibility that breastfeeding could further reduce the huge burden of depression on individuals, families, healthcare systems and economies only adds to the argument for policymakers to further promote breastfeeding,” the research team wrote. .
The research paper, ‘Breastfeeding and later depression and anxiety in mothers in Ireland: a 10- year prospective observational study’, is published in BMJ Open (DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-097323).
