Erin McElderry Bascom1, Melissa A Napolitano2. 1. Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA Erin.M.Bascom@gmail.com. 2. Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although postpartum depression is associated with lower breastfeeding initiation rates and shorter breastfeeding duration, the potential mechanisms through which this relationship functions are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the breastfeeding behaviors of women with postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS) to identify potential motivations for early breastfeeding cessation. METHODS: An analysis of quantitative data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II examined the relationship between PDS and breastfeeding behaviors, including breastfeeding duration and primary reasons for early breastfeeding cessation. RESULTS: Of the women in the sample, 30.9% met criteria for mild PDS. Women with PDS had shorter overall (18.4 vs 21.8 weeks, P = .001) and exclusive breastfeeding duration (3.6 vs 4.7 weeks, P = .012) than women without PDS. A larger proportion of women with PDS stopped breastfeeding before 6 months (68.7% vs 57.2%, P < .001). After controlling for socioeconomic status, education, marital status, employment status, race/ethnicity, maternal age, parity, and breastfeeding intentions, presence of PDS significantly predicted higher odds of reporting "too many household duties" (OR = 1.90, P = .011) as a primary reason for breastfeeding cessation among women who stopped breastfeeding before 6 months. After controlling for these same covariates, women with PDS had, on average, 2.4 weeks shorter breastfeeding duration than women without PDS (P = .025). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among new mothers, and most do not breastfeed for recommended time periods. Increased PDS screening during prenatal and postpartum visits and promotion of lactation support services may better address the high rates of PDS and suboptimal breastfeeding behavior.
BACKGROUND: Although postpartum depression is associated with lower breastfeeding initiation rates and shorter breastfeeding duration, the potential mechanisms through which this relationship functions are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the breastfeeding behaviors of women with postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS) to identify potential motivations for early breastfeeding cessation. METHODS: An analysis of quantitative data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II examined the relationship between PDS and breastfeeding behaviors, including breastfeeding duration and primary reasons for early breastfeeding cessation. RESULTS: Of the women in the sample, 30.9% met criteria for mild PDS. Women with PDS had shorter overall (18.4 vs 21.8 weeks, P = .001) and exclusive breastfeeding duration (3.6 vs 4.7 weeks, P = .012) than women without PDS. A larger proportion of women with PDS stopped breastfeeding before 6 months (68.7% vs 57.2%, P < .001). After controlling for socioeconomic status, education, marital status, employment status, race/ethnicity, maternal age, parity, and breastfeeding intentions, presence of PDS significantly predicted higher odds of reporting "too many household duties" (OR = 1.90, P = .011) as a primary reason for breastfeeding cessation among women who stopped breastfeeding before 6 months. After controlling for these same covariates, women with PDS had, on average, 2.4 weeks shorter breastfeeding duration than women without PDS (P = .025). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among new mothers, and most do not breastfeed for recommended time periods. Increased PDS screening during prenatal and postpartum visits and promotion of lactation support services may better address the high rates of PDS and suboptimal breastfeeding behavior.
Authors: Ana Cristina Lindsay; Tatiana Mesa; Mary L Greaney; Sherrie F Wallington; Julie A Wright Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Date: 2017-05-26
Authors: Xialing Wu; Xiao Gao; Tingting Sha; Guangyu Zeng; Shiping Liu; Ling Li; Cheng Chen; Yan Yan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-03-06 Impact factor: 3.390