Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD), Santiago, Chile.
Facultad de Ciencias de la Rehabilitación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile.
Breastfeed Med. 2020 Aug;15(8):495-500. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0091. Epub 2020 Jun 9.
Maternal mental health difficulties are common during the perinatal period and have a negative impact on breastfeeding practices. Most research has focused on the role of postpartum depression, whereas maternal anxiety has been less studied, despite its high prevalence. A better understanding of the mental health variables that impact breastfeeding practices is necessary to support maternal and infant health and well-being. The aim of this study is to explore the association between breastfeeding practices and maternal mental health, with an emphasis on maternal anxiety. Two hundred twenty-nine women were followed from the third trimester of gestation to 3 and 6 months postpartum. The participants provided self-reports of depression, anxiety, and breastfeeding practices. Mental health symptoms were compared between participants who reported exclusive versus mixed breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum, and between mothers who maintained breastfeeding versus those who had weaned their infants at 6 months postpartum. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the variables contributing to breastfeeding practices. High levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy were associated to nonexclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum. At 3 months postpartum, both high levels of anxiety and depression were associated with nonexclusive breastfeeding at that time. Logistic regression analyses revealed that exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum predicted breastfeeding continuation at 6 months after childbirth. Both maternal depression and anxiety negatively impact breastfeeding practices. Early identification of maternal mental health problems during the perinatal period is relevant to promote maternal emotional well-being and to prevent breastfeeding difficulties.
产妇在围产期会出现心理健康问题，这会对母乳喂养行为产生负面影响。大多数研究都集中在产后抑郁症的作用上，而对焦虑症的研究则较少，尽管其发病率很高。为了支持母婴健康和福祉，我们需要更好地了解影响母乳喂养行为的心理健康变量。本研究旨在探讨母乳喂养行为与产妇心理健康之间的关系，重点关注产妇焦虑症。
229 名女性从妊娠晚期开始一直随访到产后 3 个月和 6 个月。参与者报告了抑郁、焦虑和母乳喂养行为。将 3 个月时报告纯母乳喂养和混合喂养的参与者的心理健康症状进行了比较，还将 6 个月时仍在母乳喂养和已断奶的母亲的心理健康症状进行了比较。采用逻辑回归分析探讨了影响母乳喂养行为的变量。
怀孕期间出现高水平的抑郁症状与 3 个月时的非纯母乳喂养有关。在 3 个月时，高水平的焦虑和抑郁都与当时的非纯母乳喂养有关。逻辑回归分析显示，3 个月时的纯母乳喂养预测了 6 个月后继续母乳喂养。
产妇的抑郁和焦虑都会对母乳喂养行为产生负面影响。在围产期早期发现产妇的心理健康问题，对于促进产妇的情绪健康和预防母乳喂养困难非常重要。
