The Effect of Maternal Anxiety/Depression on Breastfeeding Outcomes: MAVAN (Maternal Adversity Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment) Study

Objectives We tested the hypothesis that mothers who experience substantial anxiety or depression at different time periods are at risk for reduced initiation, exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding. Methods Longitudinal data on mental health and infant feeding were collected on 257 Canadian women from 18–23 weeks gestation through 12 months postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess whether scores on the Edinburgh Post‐Natal Depression Scale (EPDS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were associated with breastfeeding practices. Results In adjusted models, a single point increase in HAMA scores measured at 3 months postpartum was associated with an 11% reduction in the odds of exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months [aOR= 0.89, 95% (CI 0.80, 0.99)]; also a single point increase in STAI State and STAI Trait scores measured at 3 months postpartum was associated with a 4% reduction in odds [aOR= 0.96, 95% CI (0.92, 0.99)] and an 8% reduction in the odds of any breastfeeding at 12 months [aOR= 0.929, 95% CI (0.86, 1.00) ] respectively. Conclusion Our findings support a relationship between maternal anxiety and reduced breastfeeding but do not show significant associations between maternal depression and breastfeeding practices. Small sample sizes may have limited detection of significant findings. Grant Funding Source : None