Effects of maternal depression on breast-feeding.

OBJECTIVE To see the effects of maternal depression on breast feeding behavior. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION The study was carried out at the OPD of the Children's Hospital Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad from October to mid November 2001. SUBJECT/METHODS One hundred mothers with children of breast feeding age from 2 months to 2 years were interviewed. These women were visiting the OPD of the Children's Hospital Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad for medical check up of their children. The interview included the administration of the Urdu version of Hospital Anxiety and depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS Thirty eight percent of the women had stopped breast feeding and their mean score on HADS was 19.66. whereas 62% of the women were breast feeding their children with a mean score of 3.27 on HADS. Out of the non breast feeding mothers 36.8% reported that their depressive symptoms preceded cessation of breast feeding. CONCLUSION Maternal depression effects the breast feeding behavior of the mother. It causes mothers to stop breast feeding their children.