Postpartum Depression, Infant Feeding Practices, and Infant Weight Gain at Six Months of Age

IntroductionThis study examined postpartum depression (PPD) as a potential risk factor for non-adherence to infant feeding guidelines and subsequent infant weight gain.MethodsParticipants were mother-infant dyads from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (N = 1447). Main study variables were PPD, breastfeeding intensity, addition of cereal to infant formula, and age of introduction to solid foods.ResultsIn logistic models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, mothers with PPD were 1.57 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 2.13) more likely to breastfeed at low intensity and 1.77 times (95% CI: 1.16, 2.68) more likely to add cereal to infant formula. Although PPD was associated with the early introduction to solid foods (odds ratio: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.89), this relationship was not significant after adjusting for potential confounders. A small but significantly greater average weight gain at 6 months was observed among infants of mothers with PPD (10.15 lb, SD = 2.32 vs. 9.85 lb, SD = 2.32).DiscussionScreening for PPD at well-child visits may lead to improved maternal health outcomes and the prevention of early life risk factors for childhood obesity.