Unveiling new dimensions: a hermeneutic exploration of perinatal mood disorder and infant feeding.
In this hermeneutic study, six women from the local Perinatal Mental Health Program were interviewed about their experiences with infant feeding. None of the women in the study were breastfeeding their infants. The research question centered on their experience of formula feeding with a view to gaining better insight about the issues that women face when feeding practices do not conform to best-practice (i.e., breastfeeding) promotional standards. We also considered the needs of nurses working in the mental health setting, who may face conflicting recommendations concerning the treatment of a mental health crisis in the presence of current infant feeding best-practice guidelines. Our findings support concerns that current guidelines overlook the special needs of women who live with perinatal mood disorder. We speculate that breastfeeding challenges may present a risk for postpartum depression in women who are biologically vulnerable. The need for ongoing assessment for emerging depression among women who are experiencing breastfeeding challenges is identified. The importance of deepened understanding among mental health nurses is highlighted.
University of Victoria, School of Nursing, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. humphriesj@camosun.bc.ca
Joan Margaret
JM
Humphries
Carol
C
McDonald
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012945:Social Values