Relationship of Mental Disorder Anxiety and Depression with Cessation of Breastfeeding

Abstract Cessation of breastfeeding, especially in the first 6 months after delivery, could have negative effects on mental and physical health of infant and mother and their mutual relationships. Despite high prevalence of puerperal psychiatric disorders, evidence of correlation between mental disorders and interruption of breastfeeding isn't existent. In this research, it has been tried to find whether there are any significant differences in general mental health, depression and anxiety mean scores among mothers who stopped breastfeeding, or used supplementary feeding with continued exclusive breastfeeding .300 mothers who fulfilled the research requirements, were tested by General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA, t-Test and Kruskal Wallis. Results suggested that those who stopped breastfeeding and the supplementary feeders, had higher rates in general mental health (P=0.02) and anxiety (P<0.001), but not in depression (P=0.18). A longitudinal study is suggested to study the cause and effect relationship between mental health and continuation of breastfeeding .