title: Predictors of crying problems in the early postpartum period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate maternal and infant factors associated with midwife-reported crying problems in the early postpartum period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postnatal home care in Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty-five mother/child dyads who received postnatal homecare by midwives (n=1,636 cases of midwife-reported crying problems, n=6,129 controls).
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated factors associated with infant crying problems during the postpartum period as documented in the Statistical Database of Independent Midwives' Services in Switzerland (2007). Using case control methodology, we matched all identified cases of crying problems with controls who had been cared for by the same midwife. A conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations of reported crying problems with maternal and infant factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal health and mood problems in the immediate postpartum period were significantly associated with reported crying problems. Maternal health and mood problems included physical complications after birth, psychological decompensation, and depression. Further risk factors for infant crying problems were planned resumption of paid work directly after paid maternity leave (at 15-16 weeks postpartum) and immigrant status. A protective effect was observed for higher parity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crying problems in the early postpartum period are associated with mothers' physical, psychological, and social conditions. Care practices that promote new mothers' physical and psychological recovery after birth could be a promising strategy to prevent early crying problems. Specific support is important for mothers with early signs of depression or decompensation, intention to return early to paid work, immigrant background, and for first-time mothers.
authors.affiliation: University of Basel, Institute of Nursing Science, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. elisabeth.kurth@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spichiger
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cignacco
authors.forename: Holly Powell
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Glanzmann
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Staehelin
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: Elisabeth Zemp
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Stutz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003448:Crying / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D016524:Parental Leave; D010298:Parity; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013557:Switzerland; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology