Impact of postnatal depression on breastfeeding duration

Postnatal depression can cause adverse effects on both mother and infant, but its impact on breastfeeding duration is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal postnatal depression and breastfeeding duration.

A cohort of 1745 women was recruited on the postnatal wards of two large Australian obstetric hospitals. Self-report questionnaires were completed at recruitment, and at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Breastfeeding status was determined at each follow-up, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen for symptoms of depression. Diagnostic psychological interviews were conducted on a subsample of women at each interval.

Breastfeeding was initiated by 96 percent of the participants; at 2 months 79 percent were still breastfeeding, 57 percent at 6 months, and 22 percent at 12 months. Of the 18 percent of participants diagnosed with postnatal depression, the onset occurred before 2 months in 63 percent of cases. Median duration of breastfeeding was 26 weeks for women with early-onset depression, 28 weeks for women with late-onset depression, and 39 weeks for women without depression. After adjustment for confounding factors, early cessation of breastfeeding was found to be significantly associated with postnatal depression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.52). Onset of postnatal depression occurred before cessation of breastfeeding in most cases.

Postnatal depression has a significant negative impact on breastfeeding duration. Assistance with breastfeeding issues should be included in the management of postnatal depression.