Journal article
Breastfeeding, antidepressants, and depression in the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Well-Being Study
Journal of Human Lactation, Vol.35(1), pp.127-136
2019
Abstract
Background
Depression is consistently shown to predict lower rates of breastfeeding. In a handful of studies, breastfeeding has predicted lower depression symptoms. However, studies demonstrating the latter are limited in their measurement of both depression and breastfeeding and have not followed participants from pregnancy across the postpartum period.
Research Aim
The primary aim of this study was to describe breastfeeding intentions and behaviors for the first 12 months postpartum among nonmedicated depressed, antidepressant-exposed, and control participants. The secondary aim was to examine group differences in the association between depressive symptoms and breastfeeding duration up to 12 months postpartum.
Methods
First-trimester women (n = 212) were recruited into a prospective longitudinal study. Depressive disorders at baseline were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, and depressive symptoms were measured at the first and second trimesters and 6 and 12 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Breastfeeding duration, support from family and employers, and perceptions of participants’ experience were measured.
Results
Depressed women and antidepressant-exposed women reported a trend toward lower rates of intention, initiation, and duration, but this did not reach statistical significance. There was a statistically significant difference on depressive symptoms for women taking antidepressants during pregnancy, compared with controls, when they continued to breastfeed for 12 months postpartum.
Conclusions
This study did not find a strong association between depression or antidepressant use and intention to breastfeed, partner breastfeeding support, or initiation or duration of breastfeeding. However, for women who took antidepressants, there was evidence that breastfeeding for 12 months was associated with lower depressive symptoms.
Details
- Title
- Breastfeeding, antidepressants, and depression in the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Well-Being Study
- Authors/Creators
- M. Galbally (Author/Creator)S.J. Watson (Author/Creator)H. Ball (Author/Creator)A.J. Lewis (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Journal of Human Lactation, Vol.35(1), pp.127-136
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Identifiers
- 991005542655807891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2018
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology and Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.72 Obstetrics & Gynecology
- 1.72.1072 Perinatal Mental Health
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nursing
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine