Breast-feeding difficulties experienced by women taking part in a qualitative interview study of postnatal depression

AimsTo examine the relationship between specific reasons for stopping breastfeeding and depressive symptoms in the postnatal period.BackgroundDifficulty breastfeeding has been connected to postnatal depression although it is unclear whether difficulty breastfeeding precedes or succeeds a diagnosis. However, the concept of ‘breastfeeding difficulty’ is wide and includes biological, psychological and social factors.DesignA cross‐sectional self‐report survey.MethodsData were collected between December 2012 and February 2013. 217 women with an infant aged 0‐6 months who had started breastfeeding at birth but had stopped before 6 months old completed a questionnaire examining breastfeeding duration and reasons for stopping breastfeeding. They further completed a copy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.ResultsA short breastfeeding duration and multiple reasons for stopping breastfeeding were associated with higher depression score. However, in a regression analysis only the specific reasons of stopping breastfeeding for physical difficulty and pain remained predictive of depression score.ConclusionsUnderstanding women's specific reasons for stopping breastfeeding rather than breastfeeding duration is critical in understanding women's breastfeeding experience and providing women with emotional support. Issues with pain and physical breastfeeding were most indicative of postnatal depression in comparison to psychosocial reasons highlighting the importance of spending time with new mothers to help them with issues such as latch.

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“…They may also attribute their emotions to their breastfeeding difficulties, when in fact other factors are at play (Shakespeare et al . 2004). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and postnatal depression: the role of pain and physical difficulties

Brown

Rance

Bennett

2015

Journal of Advanced Nursing

158

128

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“…[11][12][13] In addition to the difficulties with the act of breastfeeding, qualitative studies suggest that the satisfaction with and perception of breastfeeding support interactions are key factors for maternal well-being. [14][15][16][17] Recent research highlights a rising concern that some approaches to breastfeeding promotion and support may increase emotional burden, stress and anxiety in mothers during a period when stress and mood are linked to later maternal depression. 18,19 Professional lactation services work toward an ultimate goal of increasing breastfeeding rates, primarily for the benefit of the infant.…”

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confidence: 99%

The experience of nursing women with breastfeeding support: a qualitative inquiry

et al. 2015

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Background: Breastfeeding difficulties are a common occurrence, are highly personal and can vary from one infant to the next for any mother. Multiple sources of support, help and advice for breastfeeding are available to nursing mothers. Evidence suggests that the experience of the quality of breastfeeding supports may play an important role in maternal mental health and well-being in the postpartum period. We sought to explore the experiences of nursing mothers with support they received for breastfeeding in order to better inform and optimize existing breastfeeding supports and interventions. Methods:We conducted a qualitative inquiry of nursing mothers' experiences with help, advice and support for breastfeeding. Participants were asked to provide open-ended, written accounts of their experiences with all sources of breastfeeding support received in the 6 months following the delivery of a healthy full-term infant in Calgary. We conducted qualitative thematic analysis, using constant comparison techniques. Results:The sample included 86 mothers. Our analyses uncovered 4 emergent themes that contributed to the perceived quality of breastfeeding support: know ledge, effectiveness, sensitivity/emotional support and accessible when sought. Interpretation:Our study provides a greater understanding of how mothers perceive the quality of the breastfeeding support that they receive, as well as what qualities of breastfeeding support are seen as beneficial or negative. The qualities contributing to the perception of breastfeeding support are important to inform and optimize perinatal care, and potentially reduce the risk of negative mental health outcomes for mothers. Abstract Research CMAJ OPEN E306CMAJ OPEN, 3(3)

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“…This might have resulted from accessibility of the enabling factors, such as pamphlets, educational materials and CDs, the researcher's phone number and electric breast pumps (24). In a previous study by Shakespeare et al, mothers mentioned lack of access to health staff as a major problem in continuation of breastfeeding (25). Furthermore, Laveist et al proposed that the enabling factors were more important than cultural and behavioural differences for changing behaviour (26).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of breastfeeding training based on BASNEF model on the intensity of postpartum blues

Akbarzadeh¹,

Rad²,

Moattari³

et al. 2017

East Mediterr Health J

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Postpartum blues is a major risk factor for the incidence of postpartum depression and disruption of breastfeeding. This semi-experimental study investigated the effect of breastfeeding training based on the BASNEF model on severity of postpartum blues in 2012. Four educational sessions based on the BASNEF model were held separately for pregnant women and their mothers, mothers-in-law and spouses. The control group received routine care at the clinic. After delivery, women's knowledge of and attitude towards postpartum blues were evaluated using the Zung SelfRating Depression Scale. There were significant differences between the groups regarding mean scores of knowledge, mothers' evaluation of behaviour outcomes, attitude, and enabling factors. Also, the mean score for postpartum blues was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. In conclusion, training based on the BASNEF model had a positive effect on maternal knowledge and attitude and, consequently, the intensity of postpartum blues. Further studies are required to determine the reliability and effectiveness of this method.

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Breast-feeding difficulties experienced by women taking part in a qualitative interview study of postnatal depression

Cited by 79 publications

References 15 publications

Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and postnatal depression: the role of pain and physical difficulties

Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and postnatal depression: the role of pain and physical difficulties

The experience of nursing women with breastfeeding support: a qualitative inquiry

Investigation of breastfeeding training based on BASNEF model on the intensity of postpartum blues

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