The Power of Peer Support
Last Friday we had the priviledge of welcoming Courtney Livaudais, OTD, OTR/L, PMH-C, Perinatal Mental Health-Certified occupational therapist and lactation consultant to our group. Here is how that conversation went down:
“Sleep when the baby sleeps”
“Just ask for help when you need it!”
“Just step away and take a break from your screaming baby.”
These are some of the thing that new parents hear… but leave parents feeling so much worse than before. How are they supposed to know what to ask for? How can they sleep when the baby sleeps when there are weeks of laundry piling up and clutter making everyone crazy? And who’s newborn is actually sleeping? How in all that is holy is leaving your crying baby going to make you feel better?
Postpartum Picture:
I just ate exclusively chocolate for lunch. The pile of clean laundry only made it as far as the bassinet that has never been used, and now I am peeling off my spit-up soaked shirt for the third time today. Everyone is crying and now we are all covered in poop.
New parenthood is romanticized beyond measure. It’s filled with smiling babies and cuddles and love… (no newborn smiles except while they are sleeping and pooping, sometimes at the same time) but no one talks about the realities: the tender nipples, sleepless nights, and short tempers- let alone mental health challenges.
From baby blues to full blown postpartum depression (PPD), the hormone shifts are NO JOKE. As a society, we have made strides in shedding light on maternal mental health, recognizing it as a concern deserving attention and support- there is even a new drug out that targets PPD specifically.
But the number one predictor of mental health outcomes?
# 1 - PEER SUPPORT!
A study by Dennis and Hodnett from 2007 found that mothers who participated in peer support groups had reduced symptoms of PPD, and increased breastfeeding rates as compared to those who received standard care alone. There is also a correlation between breastfeeding success and maternal mental health.
It makes sense, right? Camaraderie mitigates the sense of isolation, loneliness that often accompanies new parenthood. Sharing your sleepless nights with a mom who had the same experience last week, but is on the other side of it makes it seem less permanent, and more manageable.
70% of lactating people report challenges breastfeeding
Oxytocin is that love hormone- and spoiler- it COUNTERACTS cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Breastfeeding and skin to skin are oxytocin boosters. So these things are physiologically protective for your mental health.
Challenges breastfeeding is harder on you physical and mentally. And there is a strong correlation between postpartum depression and early cessation of breastfeeding. When cortisol levels are high, reducing tension can help reduce cortisol and encourage milk flow- go get a massage, have your partner massage you, or use some of these tools below!
Sleep Reminders…
Total infant sleep affects the mental health of the caregivers and is a direct predictor of PPD.
Prenatally, it’s really hard to wrap your brain around the concept of “sleepless nights.” They almost sound a little romantic… but when you are in it with a screaming newborn, wondering if she’s getting enough to eat… it. is. not. okay. Or maybe it is? Your hormonal shifts for the first couple of weeks are designed to allow you to function on less sleep
Expectations are everything- so set the expectation that your baby will only sleep for a 1-2 of hours at a time. Beyond that- your own sleep hygiene is super important. Here are some things to try:
Don’t look at screens 2 hours before bed
Remember that quality of sleep matters more than quantity
Get outside first thing in the morning - even if you’re by a window, close your eyes and allow day light to hit them!
120 minutes of outdoor time per WEEK has huge mental health benefits.
Move your body (walking, yoga, sitting on the floor and stretching with your baby… anything at all that feels good)
Courtney Livaudais, certified in perinatal mental health, left us with:
4 things we can do TODAY:
Phone a Friend
Body Scan
Limit screens
Step outside
Thank you Courtney for your insights!! Learn more about Courtney’s practice: Triple Moon Therapy, and follow her on social media @triplemoontherapy
References:
Amani B, Merza D, Savoy C, et al. Peer-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2021;83(1):21m13928. Published 2021 Nov 9. doi:10.4088/JCP.21m13928
Baattaiah BA, Alharbi MD, Babteen NM, Al-Maqbool HM, Babgi FA, Albatati AA. The relationship between fatigue, sleep quality, resilience, and the risk of postpartum depression: an emphasis on maternal mental health. BMC Psychol. 2023;11(1):10. Published 2023 Jan 13. doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01043-3
Dennis CL, Dowswell T. Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(2):CD001134. Published 2013 Feb 28. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001134.pub3
