Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression

Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression

Topic Statement

Researchers believe that postpartum depression is a clinical depression that occurs in women after the birth of a child. It is also a fact that postpartum depression has significant adverse effects on both the mother and infant, especially on the duration of breastfeeding.

Book

Dalfen, A. (2008). When Baby Brings the Blues: Solutions for Postpartum Depression. New York, NY: Wiley Publications.

The above book is written by Ariel Dalfen who psychiatrist based in Toronto, Canada and a leading expert in the field of postpartum depression (PPD). The book focuses on the issue of postpartum depression in women having pregnancies. Delfan, in his book, claims that there is a significant risk of emotional difficulties and behavioral issues in babies of depressed women. In addition, Delfan also argues that there is also a considerable possibility of problem in language development and delay in growth in babies of women who suffer with postpartum depression. This research also reveals that more than twenty percent of women are affected by the postpartum depression after the birth of child. However, the most important thing to know is that postpartum depression is treatable and this book offers a firm guide to women in order to recover from PPD. This book also provides a detailed treatment plan for recovery process with necessary medication table and their side effects.

Article-1

Dennis, C & McQueen, K. (2009). The Relationship Between Infant-Feeding Outcomes and Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative Systematic Review. Pediatrics, Vol. 123(4).

This article investigates the relationship between the outcomes of breastfeeding to children and postpartum depression of mothers. There is no doubt about the fact that breastfeeding brings many benefits to the mental and physical development of a child. However, it is also important to consider that there are significant adverse consequences of postpartum depression. Researchers in this article claim that the relationship between the breastfeeding outcomes and maternal mood needs is vague. In order to investigate the issue further, researchers conduct a qualitative review of to examine this relationship. In fact, the research began with the review of more than seventy articles on the relationship of breastfeeding outcomes and PPD symptomatology written within the period of 1966-2007. In this systematic review, more than 45 articles were identified as important source of information that specifically addresses the examination process of researchers. The results show that a depressed woman is less likely to produce milk for breastfeeding, which generates the negative outcome of breastfeeding to infants. Results also indicate that early postpartum period involves more risk in relation to infant-feeding outcomes. The research concludes that PPD symptomatology has adverse effects on infant-feeding outcomes. In addition, it is also important to know that this research provides major clinical implications in order to identify PPD at early stage in women.

Article-2

McCarter-Spaulding, D. & Horowitz, J. (2007). How Does Postpartum Depression Affect Breastfeeding? American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, Vol. 32(1).

This article focuses on impacts of postpartum depression in women and how PPD affects breastfeeding process of women. In order to investigate the impacts, ...