Does breastfeeding reduce postpartum depression?

By IJCP Editorial Team

Written By: user

IJCP Editorial Team

Published On: 11 Feb, 2023 2:38 PM | Updated On: 20 May, 2024 1:46 AM

Does breastfeeding reduce postpartum depression?

The association of breastfeeding (BF) with postpartum depression (PPD) remains controversial.

Currently, there is a lack of specific guidelines on the role of BF in managing PPD.

The present study determined the association between BF and PPD. It searched PubMed, CochraneLibrary, and EMBASE up to December 2021 for relevant articles and calculated Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with a random-effects model.

The study observed-

Inclusion of 8 studies with 18,570 participants.
Association of BF with a 14% lower risk of PPD.
For a single BF episode, BF duration of >1 month showed a 37% lower risk, and BF for <1 month showed a 6% lower risk of PPD.
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) compared with never breastfeeding (NBF) showed a 53% lower risk for PPD.
EBF, compared with partial breastfeeding (PBF), showed an 8% lower risk for PPD.
The studied subgroups may be a source of heterogeneity.

These results show an association between PPD and risk for BF, which must be confirmed by studies with large sample sizes.

Source: Xia M, Luo J, Wang J, Liang Y. Association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2022;308:512-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.091.

IJCP Editorial Team

Comprising seasoned professionals and experts from the medical field, the IJCP editorial team is dedicated to delivering timely and accurate content and thriving to provide attention-grabbing information for the readers. What sets them apart are their diverse expertise, spanning academia, research, and clinical practice, and their dedication to upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence, the IJCP editorial team strives to provide valuable perspectives, the latest trends, and in-depth analyses across various medical domains, all in a way that keeps you interested and engaged.