In Conversation with Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett: Breastfeeding and maternal mental health and well-being.

Kathleen is a health psychologist, IBCLC, researcher, speaker, and the CEO of Praeclarus Press, a small publishing company dedicated to women’s health.

She is internationally recognized for her work on breastfeeding, maternal mental health, trauma, and depression.

Kathleen has authored and edited numerous books and peer-reviewed articles exploring how early trauma, inflammation, and stress affect mothers’ mental and physical health — and how breastfeeding can play a protective role.

Her work bridges research and real-life mothering and parenting, to support parents to better understand the complex biological and emotional systems at play in the postpartum period.

We hear about Kathleen’s connection with La Leche League and how her own breastfeeding journey and involvement with the charity supported her professional direction.

Our conversation explores the following themes:

- The connection between breastfeeding and a mother’s emotional well-being

- ⁠The role oxytocin plays in mood regulation and stress buffering

- ⁠How common messaging around sleep and infant crying may unintentionally increase stress for mothers

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed.

LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit:

La Leche League GB – Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwardsFive ways to help when breastfeeding doesn’t go as expected – La Leche League GB

From Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett:

Articles

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