Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA
Abstract Background Exclusive (EBF) and continued breastfeeding (CBF) as defined by the World Health Organization are the optimal feeding practices. Perinatal Mental Health Conditions (PMHCs) such as anxiety and depression may influence breastfeeding practices. We aimed to examine if maternal postpa...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | International Breastfeeding Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-025-00734-4 |
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| author | Smriti Neupane Ann M Vuong Amanda Haboush-Deloye Kaleigh Mancha Gabriela Buccini |
| author_facet | Smriti Neupane Ann M Vuong Amanda Haboush-Deloye Kaleigh Mancha Gabriela Buccini |
| author_sort | Smriti Neupane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exclusive (EBF) and continued breastfeeding (CBF) as defined by the World Health Organization are the optimal feeding practices. Perinatal Mental Health Conditions (PMHCs) such as anxiety and depression may influence breastfeeding practices. We aimed to examine if maternal postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms, individually and combined (comorbid), influence EBF and CBF practices. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022 and March 2023 with 326 mothers of children 0–23 months old, all residing in Clark County, Nevada, USA. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between self-reported postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms and EBF and CBF in the 24 h prior to the survey. Results The prevalence of EBF among infants under 6 months old and CBF among children 6–23 months old was 36.3% (n = 41) and 52.1% (n = 111), respectively. After adjusting for maternal socio-demographic, perinatal, and infant/child characteristics, decreased odds of EBF were associated with the presence of postpartum depressive symptoms (AOR 0.13; 95% CI 0.03,0.55) and the comorbid presence of postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms (AOR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04,0.66). Similarly, decreased odds of CBF were associated with the presence of postpartum anxiety symptoms (AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16,0.82). Conclusion Postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms decreased the odds of breastfeeding practices among mothers of children under two years old in Clark County, Nevada. However, the relationship may be bidirectional or inverse, requiring further research to clarify. Culturally appropriate interventions to reduce postpartum anxiety and depression are essential to improve breastfeeding practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6d61a69ceb25431f92c2328cd76daf5f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1746-4358 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-6d61a69ceb25431f92c2328cd76daf5f2025-08-20T03:08:44ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582025-05-0120111110.1186/s13006-025-00734-4Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USASmriti Neupane0Ann M Vuong1Amanda Haboush-Deloye2Kaleigh Mancha3Gabriela Buccini4Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of NevadaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of NevadaDepartment of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of NevadaHeart and Sol CollectiveDepartment of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of NevadaAbstract Background Exclusive (EBF) and continued breastfeeding (CBF) as defined by the World Health Organization are the optimal feeding practices. Perinatal Mental Health Conditions (PMHCs) such as anxiety and depression may influence breastfeeding practices. We aimed to examine if maternal postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms, individually and combined (comorbid), influence EBF and CBF practices. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022 and March 2023 with 326 mothers of children 0–23 months old, all residing in Clark County, Nevada, USA. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between self-reported postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms and EBF and CBF in the 24 h prior to the survey. Results The prevalence of EBF among infants under 6 months old and CBF among children 6–23 months old was 36.3% (n = 41) and 52.1% (n = 111), respectively. After adjusting for maternal socio-demographic, perinatal, and infant/child characteristics, decreased odds of EBF were associated with the presence of postpartum depressive symptoms (AOR 0.13; 95% CI 0.03,0.55) and the comorbid presence of postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms (AOR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04,0.66). Similarly, decreased odds of CBF were associated with the presence of postpartum anxiety symptoms (AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16,0.82). Conclusion Postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms decreased the odds of breastfeeding practices among mothers of children under two years old in Clark County, Nevada. However, the relationship may be bidirectional or inverse, requiring further research to clarify. Culturally appropriate interventions to reduce postpartum anxiety and depression are essential to improve breastfeeding practices.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-025-00734-4Exclusive breastfeedingContinued breastfeedingBreastfeedingMaternal mental healthPostpartum anxietyPostpartum depression |
| spellingShingle | Smriti Neupane Ann M Vuong Amanda Haboush-Deloye Kaleigh Mancha Gabriela Buccini Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA International Breastfeeding Journal Exclusive breastfeeding Continued breastfeeding Breastfeeding Maternal mental health Postpartum anxiety Postpartum depression |
| title | Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA |
| title_full | Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA |
| title_fullStr | Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA |
| title_short | Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA |
| title_sort | association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices a cross sectional study in nevada usa |
| topic | Exclusive breastfeeding Continued breastfeeding Breastfeeding Maternal mental health Postpartum anxiety Postpartum depression |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-025-00734-4 |
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