Another important associated change during breastfeeding relates to the regulation of sleep and wake patterns for both the mother and the child, helping the mother to feel less tired, which could also prevent symptoms of depression. Parents of infants who were exclusively breastfed slept an average of 40-45 minutes more and self-reported less sleep disturbance than parents of infants given

formula.14 Women with postpartum depression experienced poorer sleep than women without postpartum depression, and sleep quality worsened with increasing postpartum depression symptom severity.61, 70 and 71 Maternal sleep patterns are enhanced by breastfeeding,13 while this deregulation may cause postpartum depression.61, 70 and 71 Research also shows that breastfeeding improves some psychological conditions and processes that can protect mothers from emerging postpartum depression. Maternal selleck chemical self-efficacy, a condition inversely associated with postpartum depression,72 is improved in mothers who breastfeed.45 and 73 Regardless of maternal depression, mothers who breastfed rather than bottle-fed their infants had higher confidence levels and rated their infants as less alert and less Luminespib purchase irritable during feedings.45 However, breastfeeding self-efficacy

appears to play an important role on postpartum depression; mothers who show higher levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy present lower levels of postpartum depression symptoms.74 Maternal emotional involvement with the infant is also improved by breastfeeding75 and is negatively correlated with postpartum depression.65 and 76 In fact, feeding patterns appear to influence mother-child bonding, with non-breastfeeding mothers presenting more difficulties to establish an emotional involvement with the infant than breastfeeding mothers.77 Regarding the relationship with the partner, studies relate breastfeeding initiation Florfenicol with stronger parental bonds.78 Temperamental

difficulties and sleep problems are reduced when the child is breastfed,79 while the presence of those problems has been associated with postpartum depression.72 and 80 Depressed breastfeeding mothers were less likely to have infants with highly reactive temperaments.45 and 79 Infant competencies are enhanced by breastfeeding,4 and 81 and are adversely affected in the presence of postpartum depression.80 and 82 Breastfeeding also facilitates mother-infant interaction,45 and 83 which is poorer when the mother is depressed.78 Breastfeeding is associated with better mother-infant interactions, with breastfed infants showing more physical contact, vocalizations, and positive play, and mothers exhibiting more proximity towards the infant.68, 79, 83 and 84 Data also specifically suggests that depressed mothers and their infants, not unlike non-depressed mothers and their infants, may benefit from breastfeeding: depressed mothers and infants are more relaxed during breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding interactions.