Breastfeeding has long been linked to lower risk of depression and anxiety in the months after childbirth. New research suggests those associations may extend much further into a mother’s life.
In a 10-year observational study published in BMJ Open, researchers in Ireland found that women who breastfed were less likely to report depression or anxiety up to a decade after pregnancy compared with those who did not breastfeed. The association was observed across multiple measures, including any breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and cumulative breastfeeding lasting at least 12 months over a lifetime.
The study followed 168 women who were part of the ROLO Longitudinal Birth Cohort Study, tracking their health from early pregnancy through 10 years after giving birth. At regular follow-ups, participants reported breastfeeding duration and whether they had been diagnosed with or treated for depression or anxiety. Researchers also accounted for factors such as physical activity, alcohol intake and baseline wellbeing.
By the 10-year follow-up, 13% of participants reported depression or anxiety at that time point, and 21% reported experiencing depression or anxiety at any point during the study period. Women who reported depression or anxiety at 10 years were less likely to have breastfed and tended to have shorter durations of both exclusive and any breastfeeding.
Each additional week of lifetime exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 2% lower likelihood of reporting depression or anxiety at the 10-year follow-up, even after adjusting for other factors.
The authors stress that the findings show associations, not cause and effect. Breastfeeding behavior and mental health are influenced by a wide range of social, economic and biological factors. Women with a prior history of depression or anxiety may also face greater challenges with breastfeeding, which could contribute to the observed relationship.
Still, the researchers suggest that successful breastfeeding may play a role in supporting maternal mental health beyond the postpartum period, potentially through hormonal pathways, stress regulation or broader health behaviors linked to breastfeeding.
The study adds to growing evidence that infant feeding choices can have long-term health implications not only for children, but also for mothers. At the same time, the authors emphasize the importance of avoiding simplistic conclusions and recognize that breastfeeding is not possible or appropriate for everyone.
This research was supported by public and academic funding sources in Ireland and the European Union, including the Health Research Board of Ireland, the Health Research Centre for Health and Diet Research, the National Maternity Hospital Medical Fund, the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme and the National Children’s Research Centre Ireland.