Premium
Causal directions in the relationship between perinatal depressive symptoms and breastfeeding difficulties
Author(s) -
Vitta Bineti Sidi,
NommsenRivers Laurie A,
Cohen Roberta J,
Chantry Caroline J,
Dewey Kathryn G
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.91.3
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , odds ratio , logistic regression , confidence interval , pregnancy , obstetrics , breast feeding , pediatrics , demography , genetics , sociology , biology
Perinatal depressive symptoms (DS) are associated with shorter breastfeeding duration, but the causal direction is not clear. Among 415 Californian primiparae who initiated breastfeeding, we examined if 1) prenatal DS are associated with greater risk for breastfeeding difficulties, and 2) breastfeeding difficulties are associated with worsening DS between pregnancy and day 14 (d14) postpartum (pp). Adjusting for socio‐demographic variables and prenatal breastfeeding intentions (logistic regression adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]), women with prenatal DS were more likely to experience nipple pain in the first 24h pp (2.06[1.16–3.65]), between 1–2wk pp (2.27[1.14–4.52]) and 2–4wk pp (2.13[1.03–4.42]); to have babies who were suckling poorly on d7 pp (1.93[1.06–3.51]); and to supplement with formula between 1–2mo pp (2.06[1.14–3.73]). Worsening of DS between pregnancy and d14 pp was associated with poor infant suckling on d7 pp (2.08[1.26–3.42]) and formula use between d3–7 pp (1.63[1.06–2.50]). Thus, the relationship between perinatal depressive symptoms and breastfeeding difficulties may be bidirectional with prenatal DS leading to nipple pain, poor infant suckling, and formula supplementation; and poor suckling and early formula supplementation leading to worsening DS. Supported by a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal Child Health Branch Grant Funding Source : Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal Child Health Branch