Providing mothers with a probiotic supplement that includes L. reuteri PBS072 and B. breve BB077 may lower the likelihood of anxiety and stress following delivery, as well as help prevent the development of postpartum depression.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted to evaluate how supplementing with probiotics, which included Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) BB077 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) PBS072, influenced maternal mood and the quality of breastfeeding in the initial postpartum period (first trimester after delivery).

In total, 200 healthy postpartum women were divided into two groups: an active group that received a supplement comprising L. reuteri PBS072 and B. breve BB077 (4 × 109 colony forming unit [CFU]/day) along with multivitamins, and a control group that received only a multivitamin complex.

This study spanned a period of 90 days, during which symptoms related to maternal depression and the quality of breastfeeding were assessed at both the 45-day and 90-day marks. The assessments were conducted using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

On days 45 and 90, the probiotic intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in maternal mood when compared to the control treatment. Similarly, the quality of breastfeeding and the reduction in the baby's crying significantly improved within the probiotic group.

Changes in the microbiota may have an impact on a woman's mental well-being following childbirth. Based on the findings, L. reuteri PBS072 and B. breve BB077 appear to be promising and capable of boosting stress resilience during the postpartum period.