Association between maternal breastfeeding satisfaction and postpartum depression

1. Increased breastfeeding satisfaction was 47% higher among mothers who were negative for postpartum depression compared to those who were positive for postpartum depression.

Evidence Rating Level: 3 (Average)

Breastfeeding and maternal health provide innumerable health benefits to newborn children. There are also many factors that can negatively impact maternal health and breastfeeding practices. This cross-sectional study from within a separate Brazil cohort study sought to investigate the relationships between postpartum depression (PPD) and maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding during the first month after birth. Across one public and one private maternity hospital, a total of 287 puerperal women were selected (M age = 29 years, range 16 to 45 years) and subsequently interviewed the week following the respective children reaching 30 days of age. The variables of interest were measured with the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Increased breastfeeding satisfaction was defined as a score above the sample median. The prevalence of this increased satisfaction was found to be 47% higher among women who were negative for PPD compared to those positive for PPD (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.57, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.16, p<.047). Adjustments to this regression model included maternal age and skin color, planned pregnancy, delivery type, exclusive breastfeeding, cohabitation with father, and breastfeeding problems. Overall, this study suggests that PPD has a significant impact on maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding, which may be due to pre-existing depressive symptoms that are aggravated by breastfeeding dissatisfaction. However, this cross-sectional study is relatively limited in what it can conclude definitively. It is also worth noting that 251 (87.5%) women in this sample were negative for PPD at initial interview.

Click to read the study in PLOSONE

Image: PD

©2020 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.