Effect Of Postpartum Depression On Breast-Feeding Duration Of Infants And Infant Growth

Postpartum depression is commonly seen in mothers and affects mother-infant relationship and care. This study was conducted as descriptive with aim of determining the effect of PPD on breast-feeding duration of mothers who are and are not under risk of postpartum depression (PPD) and on infant growth. The sample consisted of 131 mothers and infants selected with nonprobability method and agreed to attend. PPD risk ratio of mothers was found as 22,9% (those with EPDS points ≥13, n: 30). It was found that breast-feeding duration of the mothers under risk in terms of PPD was statistically significantly shorter with respect to the mother who were not under risk (n:101) (p < 0.05). It was determined that weights of risky mothers’ infants were significantly lower in 3rd month compared to non-risky group and weight gain differences were significantly lower in 2nd and 3rd months (p < 0.05). No statistical difference was found between height and head circumference measurement values of infants of both groups (p > 0.05). It was found that the mothers under risk of PPD has shorter breast-feeding duration for the infants and weight gains of the infants were lower.