Association between the plant-based Mediterranean diet and neuropsychological distress of the breastfeeding mothers and their infants

Nutrition is important for mental health and sleep, especially during breastfeeding.Taherpour et al. (2025) examined whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) correlates with sleep quality and mental health in breastfeeding mothers and their infants. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (QLQ), Infant Sleep Questionnaire (ISQ), and the Spielberger Anxiety Questionnaire (SAQ) were among the tests that 350 nursing women who were part of the research completed. Mothers who closely followed the MD had significantly better sleep quality and overall quality of life than those with lower adherence. Additionally, higher Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence was associated with fewer sleep disturbances in infants. Even after adjusting for maternal age, BMI, and energy intake, a strong link was found between MD adherence and improved quality of life. Moreover, following the MD was linked to a reduced risk of sleep disorders in infants. According to these results, a Mediterranean diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish may reduce the incidence of sleep disorders in both mothers and babies. To validate these findings, bigger prospective trials or further food intervention studies are required. [NPID: Mediterranean diet, depression, sleep disorders, breastfeeding mothers, infant]

Year: 2025

Reference: Taherpour, A., Bahrami, A., Zarban, A., Khorasanchi, Z., Asadian, A. H., Ferns, G. A., & Karbasi, S. (2025). Association between the plant-based Mediterranean diet and neuropsychological distress of the breastfeeding mothers and their infants. BMC Pediatrics, 25(1), 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05321-w

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