Breastfeeding and its association with postpartum depression signals

• Autor(a) principal: Medeiros, Bruna Alves
• Data de Publicação: 2024
• Outros Autores: Vargas, Camila Lehnhart, Missau, Gianna dos Santos, Benedetti, Franceliane Jobim
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Saúde (Santa Maria)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsm.br/revistasaude/article/view/64888
• topic: Aleitamento Materno; Período Pós-Parto; Depressão; Breastfeeding; Postpartum Period; Depression

Objective: To analyze the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms in the third month postpartum. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, using questionnaires at two time points: within the first 48 hours of the baby’s life in a public hospital in Rio Grande do Sul and in the third month postpartum during a home visit. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess postpartum depression symptoms, along with two questionnaires covering variables that may influence PPD. Breastfeeding was classified according to the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) guidelines. Results: Out of the 59 participating postpartum women, 38 (64.4%) scored less than 10 points and 21 (35.6%) scored more than 10 points on the scale, indicating possible postpartum depression symptoms according to the EPDS. Among mothers with higher EPDS scores, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was 90.50% in the first 48 hours of the baby’s life and 28.60% in the third month postpartum. The most significant factors associated with PPD were living with smokers (57.9%) and lower scores on the material axis in the Social Support Scale (p=0.019). Conclusion: Postpartum women with possible symptoms of postpartum depression showed a reduction in the predominance of exclusive breastfeeding in the third month postpartum. Among the associated factors, living with smokers and a low perception of material support were notable.