Does maternal postpartum depressive symptomatology influence infant feeding outcomes?
Abstract
AIM: To examine the relationship between diverse infant feeding outcomes, e.g. infant feeding method, maternal satisfaction, infant feeding plans, breastfeeding progress and breastfeeding self-efficacy) and postpartum depressive symptomatology using a time-sequenced analysis. METHODS: As part of a population-based study, 594 participants completed questionnaires at 1, 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: No relationship was found between diverse infant feeding outcomes at 1-week postpartum and the development of depressive symptomatology at 4 or 8 weeks. Conversely, mothers with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score>12 at 1 week postpartum were significantly more likely at 4 and/or 8 weeks to discontinue breastfeeding, be unsatisfied with their infant feeding method, experience significant breastfeeding problems and report lower levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that early identification of breastfeeding mothers with depressive symptomatology is needed not only to reduce the morbidity associated with postpartum depression but also in attempt to promote increased rates of breastfeeding duration.
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Mothers with depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to be unsatisfied with their infant feeding method than mothers without depressive symptoms.
“be unsatisfied with their infant feeding method,59”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [59]
Mothers with depressive symptoms reported lower levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy than mothers without depressive symptoms.
“report lower levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy,59,92”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [59]
Mothers with depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to experience significant breastfeeding problems than mothers without depressive symptoms.
“experience significant breastfeeding problems,59”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [59]
Mothers with depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to discontinue breastfeeding (early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the first months) than mothers without depressive symptoms.
“Mothers with depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to discontinue breastfeeding (early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the first months),41,59,69,71,90,91,118,119,137”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [59]
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- Authors
- Dennis, C., & McQueen, K.
- Affiliations
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Lakehead University (CA)
- Venue
- Acta Paediatrica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-03-22
- Volume
- 96
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 590-594
- ISSN
- 0365-1436 (ISSN-L)
- 0803-5253
- 1651-2227
- OpenAlex
- W2032546391
- Cited by
- 257
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 5.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Paediatrica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, infant feeding, breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding difficulties, breastfeeding duration, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, maternal mental health, early detection
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Bottle Feeding, Breast Feeding, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Psychological Tests, Surveys and Questionnaires, Depression, Postpartum, Self Efficacy
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