The relationship between breast feeding and depression in the early postpartum period

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between breast feeding and postnatal depression in mothers in the early postpartum period. Material and Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted at the maternity hospital in the city center of Erzurum between 1 February 2013 and 30 April 2013. The data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. One way analysis of variance, t test, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and correlation analysis were used to assess the data. Results: It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the age, educational level and pregnancy number of mothers and LATCH mean scores (p<0.05), and a statistically significant difference between the EPDS mean scores and income level, pregnancy number and pregnancy intention of mothers (p<0.05). According to these results, no relationship was determined between LATCH and EPDS mean scores. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was determined that mothers had a moderate-level success of breast feeding, one fourth of them were under risk in terms of depression and there was no relationship between the depression and breast feeding