breast-feeding_9

It has been long postulated that new moms or moms-to-be generally suffer from depression. Though many pharmaceuticals have come up with drugs claiming to help cope with such depressions

, the secrets seem to be lying in breast-feeding and the good fats in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Both physical and psychological stressors increase levels of proinflammatory cytokines leading to inflammation, which eventually contribute hugely to depression in new mothers.

And the cure for this depression lies in curbing the inflammation. That is why, most current treatments for the state of mind include the long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are anti-inflammatory. Kendall-Tackett explains this in his report.

Kathleen Kendall-Tackett explained,

Depression in new mothers is common in many cultures, affecting anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent of postpartum women. In some high-risk populations, the percentage can even be as high as 40 percent or 50 percent. Since depression has devastating effects on both mother and baby, it’s vital that it be identified and treated promptly. Depressed mothers are also more likely to stop breastfeeding with negative health effects for each.


And, when it’s a matter of breastfeeding, it protects the maternal mood of the new mother lowering her stress. And, with the stress levels lowered, the mother’s inflammatory response system does not get activated. Thus, the whole the risk of depression is lowered as a whole.

This new finding is published by a University of New Hampshire researcher in the International Breastfeeding Journal.

[Source ]