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Ask A Doula
Questions and Answer

Q. Can breast feeding bring some kind of depression?

A. Breastfeeding actually helps to alleviate depression. New motherhood is more likely the cause of the blues, which are very very common. Taking care of a new baby is a huge challenge for most women, put taking care of the house, and working and trying to lead any kind of pre-baby life into the mix and it makes for a very difficult situation. Many mother's benefit from household help once a week, visits from friends and helpful relatives, and attending support group meetings, such as LaLeche League once a month.

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.