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There's a complex and bidirectional link between postpartum depression and breastfeeding.

Negative experiences such as unmet breastfeeding expectations can increase risk of maternal depression.

External barriers in early parenthood often limit breastfeeding, not individual choice.

Access to holistic breastfeeding support is needed to reduce barriers and facilitate breastfeeding intentions.

Approximately 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression (PPD), making it one of the most common complications of childbirth. As the maternal health field moves toward promoting “breast is best,” there has also been a growing interest in attempting to find connections between breastfeeding and maternal mental health. Findings suggest breastfeeding may be associated with lower rates of PPD; however, this relationship is complex and bidirectional. This post will review recent research on the nuances of perinatal mental health and infant feeding.

A 2026 study explored the relationship between breastfeeding, infant feeding intentions, and PPD during the early postpartum period with a sample of 2,022 low-income new mothers. Findings demonstrated that mothers who exclusively breastfed were significantly less likely to experience PPD compared to those who used only formula or combination feeding. This finding aligns with previous research demonstrating that exclusive breastfeeding is associated with reduced rates of PPD.

In the same study, another finding emerged that aligned with previous infant feeding data—a substantial percentage of women (approximately one-third) who intended to breastfeed were already unable to meet this intention by month one. This finding is important because the ability to meet breastfeeding intentions has been associated with maternal mood. A large-scale study following women 32 months postpartum found the lowest risk of PPD in women without antenatal depression who had planned to breastfeed and were able to do so; alternatively, the highest risk of PPD was found in women who had planned to breastfeed and were unable to. In other words, unmet intentions were associated with poorer mental health outcomes.

The inability to meet breastfeeding goals is often caused by structural, physical, or relational barriers (i.e., external factors) rather than a lack of personal desire or individual choice. Specifically, contextual factors that make it more or less likely for a woman to be able to meet her breastfeeding goals can include income level, education, return to work, sleep quality, social support network, and a stable partnership. These same factors are also associated with PPD risk.

Finally, while research has suggested that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of PPD, available research studies cannot indicate that breastfeeding is the cause of improved maternal mental health. Instead, research demonstrates a complex and bidirectional relationship. Just as breastfeeding success may contribute to improved maternal mental health and better maternal mental health can contribute to breastfeeding success, breastfeeding problems can contribute to worsening PPD, and maternal PPD can lead to breastfeeding struggles. In other words, research also demonstrates that mothers with PPD are at higher risk for experiencing challenges with breastfeeding and early discontinuation.

Breastfeeding is linked to lower PPD, but it is not necessarily the cause.

Instead, the relationship between maternal mental health and breastfeeding is complex and bidirectional.

Many external factors impact both PPD and breastfeeding success.

Support systems are needed to facilitate maternal breastfeeding intentions and reduce existing barriers.

Clinical Applications

Across studies, it is clear that infant feeding goes beyond setting intentions. It requires navigating complex systems that may not support the transition to early parenthood (e.g., return to work). As such, rather than framing infant feeding as an individual’s choice or individual success or failure, the body of research underscores the significant role external systems play and the importance of compassionate, flexible supports that protect both maternal mental health and the parent-infant relationship. While the campaigns suggesting “breast is best” have good intent. They may cause undue pressure, equating breastfeeding with good mothering, which has been shown to have negative impacts on maternal mental health. Instead, there should be easy access to expert breastfeeding support for women who want to/can breastfeed, but also compassionate, tailored support for women who intended to breastfeed, but find themselves unable to.

Take our Postpartum Depression Test

Find a therapist to overcome depression

Ryan, R. A., Berube, L. T., & Deierlein, A. L. (2026). Exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum depression: A protective association that is not modified by feeding intentions. PLOS ONE, 21(1), e0340269. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0340269

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