How to Support Your Mental Health While Breastfeeding
- WPA Therapy
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful way to bond with your baby, but for many parents, it comes with emotional and mental health challenges. During World Breastfeeding Week this August, we recognize both the benefits of breastfeeding and the pressures, struggles, and emotional weight it can carry.
While some feel joy and connection while breastfeeding, others may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even disconnected from their baby. These emotional ups and downs are common, especially during the early transition to motherhood when sleep is limited, routines are unpredictable, and your body is still healing from labor.
Whether you're nursing for the first time or navigating a new chapter with another child, it's normal to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or even discouraged. In this article, we’ll explore how to support your mental health while breastfeeding.
Factors That Impact Breastfeeding and Mental Health
Several factors can make breastfeeding more stressful or emotionally complex, potentially impacting your mental health.
Breastfeeding challenges
Physical struggles like difficulty latching, low milk supply, nipple pain, or engorgement can feel like constant roadblocks. It’s easy to internalize those challenges and feel like you're falling short, even when you're doing your best. You might feel pressure to breastfeed “perfectly,” guilt if it’s painful or difficult, or stress over how often your baby needs to eat.
Pressure and expectations
Cultural messages, social media, and even well-intentioned advice can create unrealistic expectations around what breastfeeding should look like. When you’re constantly hearing that “breast is best,” it’s easy to feel guilty if you’re struggling with breastfeeding or considering using formula.
Lack of support
Breastfeeding takes a village, but not everyone has one. Whether it’s a partner who can’t share the load, a job that doesn’t allow time or space to pump, or family and friends who don’t understand what you’re going through, feeling unsupported can add another layer of emotional strain.
Postpartum depression
Breastfeeding while navigating postpartum depression can be deeply challenging. Postpartum depression often shows up as low mood, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, irritability, and feelings of disconnection from your baby or yourself. The demands of feeding can make you feel trapped or resentful, especially when paired with sleep deprivation or a lack of support.
Postpartum anxiety
While postpartum depression gets more attention, postpartum anxiety can be just as common. Postpartum anxiety can look like constant worry, racing thoughts, trouble relaxing, or even physical symptoms like a racing heart or tight chest. The unpredictability of breastfeeding—feeding cues, cluster feeding, concerns about milk supply—can further fuel that postpartum anxiety, especially in people who already tend to feel pressure to “get things right.”
Signs Your Mental Health Needs More Support
While temporary struggles are normal, certain signs may indicate that you need additional support. Consider getting help if you experience any of the following signs:
If you're experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, such as persistent sadness, irritability, or feeling disconnected from your baby, or if you’re constantly worried, anxious, or having intrusive thoughts.
If you feel isolated, exhausted, or resentful. Breastfeeding is emotionally demanding, and if it’s leaving you feeling drained, unsupported, or frustrated, it’s important to seek support.
If you're struggling to sleep, have a consistently low mood, or find it hard to bond with your baby. Fatigue can affect your mental state, but if your low mood persists or you’re unable to connect with your baby, it may be time to ask for help.
If you’re overwhelmed by the pressure to breastfeed "perfectly." Feeling guilt or stress over breastfeeding difficulties, or feeling like you’re failing when things aren’t going as planned, can impact your mental health.
If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, reach out to a therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider for support. Remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Tips for Protecting Your Mental Health While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is emotionally and physically demanding. By practicing self-care and seeking support, you can protect your mental health while nurturing your baby.
Stay nourished and hydrated
Your body is working hard to provide for your baby, so it’s important to fuel and stay hydrated. Eating frequent, satisfying meals and drinking plenty of water helps maintain your energy and mood, which can make a big difference in how you feel.
Ask for help
You don’t have to do this alone. Lean on your partner, friends, family, or healthcare providers for support, whether that means help with feedings, chores, or simply having someone to talk to. Even a short break—a quiet shower, a walk around the block, or just sitting down with a hot cup of tea—can go a long way in helping you reset and recharge.
Stop breastfeeding if needed
If breastfeeding is causing too much stress or is no longer working for you, it’s okay to stop. It doesn’t make you a bad mother: your mental health and well-being are just as important as your baby’s. There’s no shame in choosing what’s best for both of you.
Try therapy
If you're struggling with your emotions or mental health during breastfeeding, therapy can provide valuable support. A therapist can help you navigate postpartum challenges, adjust to motherhood, and cope with the emotional demands of breastfeeding.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can provide a safe, supportive space to work through these challenges and offer the tools and coping strategies you need to feel more balanced.
Postpartum support: A therapist can help you navigate the emotional ups and downs of postpartum life, whether you're dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles.
Coping with stress and anxiety: A therapist can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms, manage your emotions, and reduce the mental load you’re carrying.
Building emotional resilience: A therapist can guide you in learning how to care for your mental health while balancing the demands of motherhood.
If you’re struggling with breastfeeding-related mental health challenges, we’re here to help. At Westmoreland Psychotherapy Associates, our team of experienced therapists can offer personalized care to help you through this journey.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward prioritizing your mental health.
