Maternal Moods Predict Breastfeeding in Barbados

Abstract

This study was designed to identify psychosocial variables affecting early infant feeding practices in Barbados. The sample included 93 healthy women and infants born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital who were extensively evaluated 7 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after birth. Maternal moods were assessed with the Zung Depression and Anxiety Scales and the General Adjustment and Morale Scale. Feeding practices were evaluated using a questionnaire developed for this population. The prevalence of mild depression in this population was 16% at 7 weeks and increased to 19% at 6 months, whereas there were very few cases of moderate-to-severe depression. Disadvantaged environmental conditions, including less information-seeking by the mother, lower family income, and poor maternal health, were closely associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety in all women. However, significant predictive relationships between mood and feeding practices remained even when the effects of the home environment were controlled. Specifically, depressive symptoms at 7 weeks postpartum predicted a reduced preference for breastfeeding at current and later infant ages. Conversely, feeding practices did not predict maternal moods at later ages. These findings have important implications for public policy dealing with programs promoting breastfeeding. Early interventions designed to treat mild postnatal depression should be instituted early in the postpartum period to improve the chances for successful breastfeeding.

Maternal distress and intended breastfeeding duration

“…An outpatient sample of 51 Canadian depressed postpartum women who had stopped breastfeeding reported that their depression preceded the cessation of breastfeeding [34]. A study by Galler et al in Barbados [35] confirmed these data showing that depressive symptoms at seven weeks postpartum predicted a reduced preference for breastfeeding at current and later infant ages. Collin and Scott [36] in a study carried out in Australia found out that anxiety over the sufficiency of milk supply was an important predictor for cessation of breastfeeding.…”

The association between infant feeding pattern and mother’s quality of life in Taiwan

“…One study in Barbados reported an association between depressive symptoms at 7 weeks postpartum and reduced breastfeeding preference at that time and thereafter [38]. Two other studies also have shown that early breastfeeding problems and a lack of support were responsible for the early cessation of breastfeeding [39,40].…”

Association of Breastfeeding with Maternal Depressive Symptoms

“…Postpartum depression has been shown to be associated with lower rates of breastfeeding in studies conducted both abroad and in the United States, but these studies have been limited by a lack of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] A study of lower-income African American and white women found no association between postpartum depression and breastfeeding rates, but this may have been due to the study's small size and low overall rates of breastfeeding. 30 The possible effects of depressive symptoms during pregnancy on breastfeeding have not been adequately studied.…”