Breastfeeding and mental health?

[marshkat]

I have suffered with mental health problems for a long time, i met the midwife yesterday as im now 12 weeks, we talked about lots but im really not sure i want to breast feed, in fact its making me anxious just thinking about it. Midwife told me to look on line about mental health and breast feeding, but i cant find anythink. Any advice or what do you think? x

[Mylittlepuds]

Made me worse I think. I suffered terribly with PND (anxiety) after birth of DS. I think breastfeeding was just too much strain on my body. There are studies to suggest that a lack of omega 3 and other trace vitamins and minerals can cause PND and breastfeeding will only deplete you further if you don't have an A grade diet. However - in the dark early days breastfeeding would give me a slight boost during a feed, making me feel calmer, due to the hormone released.

[Mylittlepuds]

I should add though if I hadn't have breastfed due to my anxiety the guilt would have been so intense that I might have been worse off. It was a 'positive' I clung to. Give it a go :) and see what happens. Good luck :) x