The significance of breastfeeding practices on postpartum depression risk
Christine Toledo1, Rosina Cianelli2, Natalia Villegas Rodriguez3
1Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Boca Raton, Florida.
Objective:
Examine the relationship between breastfeeding practices (breastfeeding status and breastfeeding length) and postpartum depression (PPD) risk, after controlling for significant risk factors for PPD.
Design:
A cross-sectional, correlational study design was used. Data was used from a national dataset using a subsample of women (n = 29,682) residing in 26 states in the United States that answered the 2016 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) questionnaire. A secondary analysis was conducted using descriptive and bivariate analyses, and a multiple logistic regression model.
Results:
Women currently breastfeeding (AOR = 0.87 CI: 0.79-0.95, p = .001), and women who breastfed for longer periods of time (p = < .002) had a statistically significantly lower PPD risk compared to their counterparts, even after accounting for significant covariates.
Conclusions:
Study findings suggest breastfeeding as a cost efficient and healthy behavior that can decrease a woman's risk for PPD. Nurses should educate and promote the maternal mental health benefits of breastfeeding in addition to the health benefits for the infant.
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