Influence of parental mental health on early termination of breast-feeding: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND
The WHO recommends exclusive breast-feeding for babies up to 6 months of age. The association between maternal mental health and breast-feeding duration is contradictory. This is a case-control study to investigate this association.


METHODS
153 families with 4-month-old babies from an urban area in southern Brazil were investigated: in 51 families, breast-feeding had being discontinued (cases); in 102, babies were being breast-fed (controls). Two researchers evaluated maternal and paternal mental health during home visits using semistructured interviews and scales.


RESULTS
Disorders were found in 59% of case mothers versus 48% of control mothers. Depression was the most prevalent disorder affecting both mothers and fathers. We did not identify a statistically significant association between maternal mental disorder at 4 months after delivery and early termination of breast-feeding. When the mother had mental problems during the first month after delivery, however, she was twice as likely to interrupt breast-feeding. Among the mothers with mental disorders during puerperium, 76% still had the problem 4 months postpartum. An association was observed between maternal and paternal mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
Parental mental health does not seem to be associated with breast-feeding at 4 months in this culture setting where most mothers have good family and social support for breast-feeding. Maternal mental disorders during puerperium, however, may negatively affect the duration of breast-feeding.
Falceto
Olga Garcia
OG
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Giugliani
Elsa R J
ER
Fernandes
Carmen Luiza C
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014886:Weaning