Breastfeeding practices in mothers of high-respiratory-risk NICU infants: impact of depressive symptoms and smoking. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Northrup, Thomas F.; Wootton, Susan H.; Evans, Patricia W.; Stotts, Angela L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 26:Number 18(2013)
• Page Start: 1838
• Page End: 1843
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2013.805195
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Aim</italic>: Mothers of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have very low breastfeeding rates and these high-respiratory-risk (HRR) NICU infants may benefit from breastfeeding through decreased risk for respiratory illnesses. This population's increased risk for maternal depression and high rates (22%) of maternal smoking may negatively affect breastfeeding.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: This exploratory study investigated associations of breastfeeding with depressive symptoms and maternal smoking in mothers of HRR NICU infants (i.e. presence of one household smoker and birth weight <1500 g or mechanical ventilation ≥12 h).</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: Breastfeeding, depression and smoking data were collected from 104 mothers in the NICU following delivery.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Fifty-five (52.9%) mothers reported breastfeeding, 39 (37.5%) had a Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score (≥16) suggestive of depression, and 36 (34.6%) reported smoking. Mothers with CES-D scores ≥16 were less likely to breastfeed compared to those with scores <16 (38.5% versus 61.5%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.02). Breastfeeding and smoking were not significantly associated (<italic>p</italic> < 0.10). Mothers of HRR infants with significant depressive symptoms who smoke have significantly lower breastfeeding rates (21%) than mothers who are not depressed and do not smoke (65%).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Interventions to improve breastfeeding initiation and continuation that target depression and smoking are necessary.</p> </abstract>