Mental Health and Lactation
Last month, I had the privilege of presenting at the annual Healthy Children Project Breastfeeding Symposium at Sea. The room was filled with RNs, CLCs, IBCLCs, SLPs, and even a pediatrician—all gathered with the shared goal of improving care for mothers and babies. The Symposium is always buzzing with energy, new research, and a deep commitment to advancing the field of lactation.
This year’s sessions offered CEUs grounded in strong evidence-based practice. Topics included Clinical Skills: Latest on Latch and Nipple Trauma, Implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, Updated Research on Skin-to-Skin, and Ethics in Lactation Practice. Each presentation delivered an engaging blend of practical skills and clear scientific explanation.
I had the honor of co-presenting with Dr. Karin Cadwell on Mental Health and Lactation. My portion focused on understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), maternal suicide, and the ways infant feeding and the science of lactation intersect with maternal wellness in a bidirectional way. Dr. Cadwell explored the fascinating role of oxytocin—both naturally occurring and synthetic (Pitocin)—and shared research highlighting how this widely used labor medication relates to maternal mental health.
For us, diving deep into the science of lactation and breastfeeding is truly our idea of a good time. Each fall, the Symposium brings together dedicated lactation professionals to learn, share, socialize, and uplift one another—all with the shared mission of supporting and promoting breastfeeding for the health and well-being of mothers and their babies.
Here are some resources we shared:
Perinatal Mental Health Conditions https://postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/
The Psychological Benefits of Breastfeeding: Fostering Maternal Well-Being and Child Development https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10631302/pdf/cureus-0015-00000046730.pdf
Intrapartum Administration of Synthetic Oxytocin and Downstream Effects on Breastfeeding: Elucidating Physiologic Pathways https://centerforbreastfeeding.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ItrapartumAdminofSynthOxytocin1.pdf
