Breastfeeding and Postpartum Mental Health

Today, approximately 83% of mothers in the United States are attempting to breastfeed (Bresnahan et al., 2019). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding should occur within the first hour of life, should be done exclusively for 6 months, and should continue up to 2+ years of age (CDC, 2024). However, the rate of…

The Birth of a Mother

When a woman gives birth, she births not only her child but also a new identity: that of a mother. This identity has been in the making since the moment she found out she was pregnant — and perhaps even before then — especially if her decision to start a family was an intentional one.…