The correlation between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal postpartum depression in southern Brazil

Objective: To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and postpartum depression symptoms in a sample of Portuguese-speaking mothers in southern Brazil. Background: There remains equivocal evidence regarding a putative association between breastfeeding self-efficacy and postpartum depression. Method: This is a cross-sectional study in which eligible research participants completed screening questionnaires and other assessment tools. Mothers were interviewed once only in their homes between the 2nd and 12th week of the postpartum period. Research participants completed the Portuguese version of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Breastfeeding self-efficacy was evaluated through the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES-SF). Results: A total number of 89 mothers completed the investigation: 69 (77%) were exclusively breastfeeding, whereas 20 mothers (22.7%) were partially breastfeeding at the time of the interview. Mothers who combined breastfeeding and bottle-feeding presented higher PDSS and EPDS scores. The breastfeeding self-efficacy scores were higher in mothers who exclusively breastfed and were negatively associated (p<0.001) with both EPDS and PDSS (postpartum depression) scores. Conclusion: These findings suggest that mothers who suffer from depressive symptoms may experience less confidence in their ability to breastfeed. This association may be particularly relevant for the purpose of screening procedures for depression and unsatisfactory breastfeeding during the postpartum period.