Breastfeeding duration and postpartum psychological adjustment: Role of maternal attachment styles

May 15, 2008Journal of paediatrics and child health

Breastfeeding length and new mothers’ mental health linked to their attachment styles

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Abstract

Mothers who continued breastfeeding at 4 months postpartum had a median Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) score of 6, compared to 12 for those who did not.

Postpartum depressive symptoms are linked to breastfeeding duration.
Mothers with secure attachment showed lower median EPDS scores (5) compared to those with insecure attachment (9).
No significant differences in anxiety levels or social support were observed based on breastfeeding status.
All participating mothers initiated breastfeeding, with 91% exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month and 68.1% at 4 months.

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AIM: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common in new mothers. The aim of this study is to explore the link between postpartum psychological adjustment and feeding preferences of the mothers.

METHODS: Sixty mothers and newborns were enrolled in this prospective, longitudinal study. Maternal depressive symptoms were screened by the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and maternal anxiety level was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at 1 month postpartum. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support was used for the assessment of maternal social support. The Adult Attachment Scale was used to determine the attachment style of the mother. Infants were examined and evaluated at 1 and 4 months of life.

RESULTS: All mothers started breastfeeding their infants postpartum; 91% and 68.1% continued exclusive breastfeeding at 1 and 4 months, respectively. The first-month median EPDS score of mothers who breastfeed at the fourth month was statistically significantly lower than those who were not breastfeeding (6 and 12, respectively) (P = 0001). The first-month median EPDS score of mothers with secure attachment was lower than the median score of mothers with insecure attachment (5 and 9, respectively) (P < 0001). Exclusive breastfeeding rate was not statistically different among mothers with secure and insecure attachment styles. The median state and trait anxiety scores and social support scores of mothers were not different between groups according to breastfeeding status.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown an association between higher EPDS scores and breastfeeding cessation by 4 months after delivery.

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Breastfeeding duration and postpartum psychological adjustment: Role of maternal attachment styles

Abstract

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