Effect of breastfeeding on postpartum depression among adolescent mothers

Background: Postpartum depressive symptoms affect a substantial proportion of new mothers and have adverse health consequences for both the mother and her baby. Breastfeeding may reduce the likelihood of developing postpartum depressive symptoms, but this association has not been studied among adolescent mothers. Given the disparities in breastfeeding and mental health between adolescent and adult mothers, this association warrants investigation.

Methods: Data were derived from a longitudinal cohort of pregnant adolescent females (ages 14-21) and their male partners followed from pregnancy through 6 months postpartum (N=225).  Linear regression models were used to examine associations between depressive symptoms at 6 months and breastfeeding (initiation, duration, and difficulties), while adjusting for depressive symptoms in pregnancy and other potential confounders.

Results: There were no significant differences in depressive scores in pregnancy or at 6 months postpartum between young mothers who did and did not initiate breastfeeding. After adjusting for depressive symptoms in pregnancy, depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum was not significantly associated with breastfeeding duration, current breastfeeding at 6 months, or breastfeeding difficulties (not at all, some, much). However, current breastfeeding at 6 months was significantly associated with lower depressive scores (B=-7.9, SE=4.13, p-value=0.056) among young mothers with no difficulties breastfeeding; no significant associations existed among young mothers reporting some and much breastfeeding difficulty.

Conclusions: Minimizing breastfeeding difficulty not only has the opportunity to improve breastfeeding duration but may also help to improve maternal mental health among young mothers. Interventions aiming to promote healthy families among young mothers should emphasize breastfeeding support.