Perinatális Közhasznú Egyesület

Kathleen A Kendall-Tackett

There is a movement afoot in childbirth education and perinatal health urging mothers to avoid nighttime breastfeeding to decrease their risk for postpartum depression. We know that if mothers follow this advice, it will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. But let’s put that issue aside for the moment and consider whether avoiding nighttime breastfeeding will preserve women’s mental health by allowing them to get more sleep. In short, is this good advice?

Kathleen A Kendall-Tackett

There is a wide array of evidence-based treatments for depression that can be safely used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Antidepressants can also be used. The only unwise choice is not treating depression because it can have serious consequences for both you and your baby.