Breastfeeding Mothers Depression

Breastfeeding and Bonding

Breastfeeding a newborn should be a special moment for the mother and child to bond. The breastfeeding mother's main focus should be for the infant. These issues may include: is the infant having fun? Is the infant getting adequate nutrition? Is the baby being held in a comfortable position? Among many others. Other than the primary considerations, society has introduced numerous secondary worries on breastfeeding mothers.

Mrs. Walker's Case Study

Mrs. Walker, a 28-year-old first-time mother, is the subject of a case study in which her interests are focused on her continued use of antidepressants while breastfeeding. She had been taking the antidepressant for five years before giving birth to her child (Jennifer Thomas). Her main concerns were: whether the baby is affected by her usage of the drug, or what could be the effects of changing the usage of the drug. Others were her ability to provide perfect motherly attention to her child if she stopped using the drug, and falling to depression in case she doesn’t use the antidepressants.

Impact of Stopping Usage of Antidepressants

Depression due to stopping usage of the drug can be both damaging to the mother and the child. Depressed mothers can be disturbed to an extent they cannot provide primary maternal and social care to their infants. Breastfeeding mothers need proper emotional assistance both at work and at their respective families to cope with depression. Their families should offer emotional support and facilitate therapy session for such mothers (Dias CC, 2015).

Safe Antidepressants for Breastfeeding Mothers

Some depressants are safe while others are not safe for breastfeeding mothers. The determination is based on the amount of drug content passed on to the child through breast milk. Medical research shows that only less than ten percent of the drug can be passed on through breast milk. It makes her safe to continue breastfeeding while using the drug. Medical research should be broadened to help depressed mothers who are breastfeeding. Contents should be improved in that they do not have harmful drug content to the infants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, depressed breastfeeding mothers emotional stability should be managed by both families and friends. They should be given therapy sessions regularly to have a natural solution to depression. However, if the therapy is not good enough, doctors recommend the usage of safe antidepressants for both the mother and the infant (Pope, 2016).

References

Dias CC, F. (2015, January). A systematic review of the literature. Breastfeeding and Depression.

Jennifer Thomas. (n.d.). Breastfeeding Residency Cirriculum: Clinical Case study.

Pope, C. J. (2016). An Overview and Methodological Recommendations for Future Research. Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression.