title: The relationship between postpartum depression and breastfeeding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose was to investigate the possible correlation or predictive relationship between breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression (PPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study in which 137 Arab women were assessed during pregnancy and postpartum. Current breastfeeding was correlated with postpartum outcomes (EPDS and MINI), employment, and use of formula at 2 and 4 months postpartum, as well as with other variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women who were breastfeeding at 2 and 4 months had lower scores on EPDS (p < 0.0037 andp < 0.0001, respectively) and were less likely to be diagnosed with PPD at 4 months (p < 0.0025). Higher scores on EPDS and diagnosis of PPD at 2 months were predictive of lower rates of breastfeeding at 4 months (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.005, respectively). Women who were employed and using formula at 2 months were less likely to breastfeed at 4 months (p < 0.0001). Breastfeeding women at 2 months had lower scores on EPDS (p < 0.003) and were less likely to be diagnosed with PPD (p <0.05) at 4 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that women who breastfeed their infants reduced their risk of developing PPD, with effects being maintained over the first 4 months postpartum. PPD may also decrease the rate of breastfeeding, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between these variables.
authors.affiliation: King Saud bin AbdulAziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. hamdan1@ksau-hs.edu.sa
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamdan
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014479:United Arab Emirates