Breastfeeding has long been promoted for its well‑established benefits to infant health, yet its implications for mothers themselves are still being uncovered.

New research now suggests that the mental health benefits for women may stretch far beyond the early months after birth. According to findings published in the open access journal BMJ Open, breastfeeding may be linked to a lower risk of depression and anxiety in mothers for up to a decade after pregnancy.

The study, although modest in size, adds an intriguing long‑term perspective to a topic often discussed only in the context of the postnatal period. It indicates that women who breastfed, whether exclusively or in combination with formula, were less likely to report depression or anxiety ten years after giving birth.

The associations were observed across several measures of breastfeeding, including any breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and cumulative breastfeeding lasting at least 12 months.

Depression and anxiety after childbirth are widely recognised as major public health concerns. Previous studies have consistently shown that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of postnatal depression and anxiety.

What has remained uncertain is whether this apparent protective effect fades as the years pass, or whether it might influence mental health well into mid‑life. The new research aims to fill part of that gap.

Researchers followed 168 women in Ireland who were taking part in the ROLO Longitudinal Birth Cohort Study. All were second‑time mothers who had given birth to infants weighing under four kilograms.

The cohort was tracked for ten years, with health assessments conducted at three months, six months, two years, five years, and ten years after birth. By the final check‑up, the women were, on average, 42 years old.

At each assessment, participants completed detailed health questionnaires. These asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with, or treated for, depression or anxiety. The women also provided information on lifestyle factors known to influence mental health, including physical activity levels, alcohol intake, and diet. This allowed the researchers to account for several potentially influential variables in their analysis.

Breastfeeding behaviour was documented in detail. Mothers were asked whether they had ever breastfed or expressed milk for at least one day. They reported the total number of weeks of exclusive breastfeeding, the total number of weeks of any breastfeeding, and whether their cumulative breastfeeding duration across children amounted to less than or more than 12 months.

Nearly three quarters of the women, 73 percent, reported having breastfed at some point. On average, exclusive breastfeeding lasted around five and a half weeks, while any breastfeeding continued for just over 30 weeks. More than one third of participants reported cumulative breastfeeding periods adding up to at least 12 months.

Mental health outcomes varied across the group. At the ten‑year follow‑up, 22 women, or 13 percent, reported depression or anxiety. Looking across the entire study period, 35 women, about one in five, reported depression or anxiety at some point. These figures reflect the persistent burden of mental health difficulties among mothers, even many years after childbirth.

Closer analysis revealed notable differences between women who reported depression or anxiety at the ten‑year mark and those who did not. Those affected tended to be younger at the start of the study, less physically active, and to have lower wellbeing scores during early assessments. Among women who reported depression or anxiety at any time point, age at the beginning of the study was the main distinguishing factor.

Breastfeeding patterns also differed clearly between groups. Women who reported depression and anxiety ten years after pregnancy were less likely to have breastfed at all. When they did breastfeed, they tended to do so for shorter periods, whether considering exclusive breastfeeding or any breastfeeding over their lifetime.

The statistical analysis suggested a gradual, cumulative association. Each additional week of exclusive breastfeeding over a woman’s lifetime was linked to a two percent lower likelihood of reporting depression or anxiety at the ten‑year follow‑up. This relationship remained after adjusting for a range of factors, including alcohol consumption and physical activity.

The researchers stress that the study is observational. As such, it cannot prove that breastfeeding directly prevents depression or anxiety. Other factors may be at play. Women with better mental health may find breastfeeding easier or more enjoyable, while those with a history of depression or anxiety may struggle to initiate or sustain breastfeeding. This complex, two‑way relationship is a recurring challenge in research on maternal mental health.

The authors also acknowledge several limitations. The number of participants was relatively small, and the group lacked ethnic and socio‑economic diversity. Mental health outcomes were based on self‑reported diagnoses and treatment, rather than clinical assessments. Breastfeeding duration was also recalled by participants, which introduces the possibility of memory bias.

Despite these caveats, the findings contribute to a vast, growing body of evidence suggesting that breastfeeding may offer lasting benefits for mothers as well as children. The researchers propose that successful breastfeeding could help reduce the risk of postnatal depression and anxiety, which in turn may lower the likelihood of mental health difficulties later in life.

They highlight that the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health is likely to be multifactorial. Socio‑economic circumstances, cultural attitudes, social support, and prior mental health history all influence both breastfeeding behaviour and psychological wellbeing. Hormonal factors associated with lactation, such as the release of oxytocin, may also play a role, potentially supporting mood regulation and stress reduction.

Importantly, the study draws attention to the wider implications for public health policy. Depression remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting individuals, families, healthcare systems, and economies. Any intervention that could reduce its prevalence, even modestly, would carry significant societal value.

Improving breastfeeding rates and duration is already known to enhance physical health outcomes across the lifespan. The possibility that it might also reduce the long‑term burden of depression and anxiety adds further weight to calls for better breastfeeding support. This includes practical assistance in hospitals, access to trained lactation consultants, supportive workplace policies, and broader cultural acceptance of breastfeeding.

The findings also underline the importance of tailored support for women with a history of mental health difficulties. These women may face greater challenges with breastfeeding and may need additional help to initiate and maintain it, should they choose to do so. Supporting mental health and breastfeeding together, rather than treating them as separate issues, could be key.

It is important to emphasise that maternal mental health is shaped by a complex web of biological, psychological, and social factors. Breastfeeding is unlikely to be a single solution.

Yet studies such as this encourage a more holistic view of postnatal care, one that considers long‑term outcomes rather than focusing solely on the immediate postpartum period.

While larger and more diverse studies are needed to confirm these findings, the research offers a thought‑provoking perspective. It suggests that the choices and experiences surrounding infant feeding may echo through a woman’s mental health for years, even decades.

For policymakers, clinicians, and families alike, the message is not that breastfeeding is a guarantee against depression or anxiety. Rather, it is that supporting women who wish to breastfeed, while also providing robust mental health care, may yield benefits that extend well beyond infancy.

As the evidence base continues to evolve, this study adds to the conversation about how early life interventions intersect with long‑term wellbeing.

In doing so, it reframes breastfeeding not only as a nutritional and developmental issue, but also as a potential contributor to lifelong mental health.