PERCEPTIONS OF INSUFFICIENT BREAST MILK: A COMPARISON OF DEPRESSED AND NON-DEPRESSED LACTATING MOTHERS

Perceptions of Insufficient Breast Milk

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the current study was to compare the perceptions of depressed and non-depressed lactating mothers regarding breast feeding.
Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study.
Place and Durations of Study: Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta from March 2010 to March 2011.
Material and Methods: All mothers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were screened with self-reporting questionnaire and Edinburgh post natal depression scale by trained female researchers. A detailed proforma was used to obtain information on demographic, pattern of breast feeding, antenatal information variables. The perception of insufficient milk (PIM) questionnaire was also applied.
Results: In this study the majority of the mothers booked for antenatal care 84% but only one third 26% had proper information about breast feeding both in depressed and non-depressed mothers. Most of the mothers were multigravida 73% and about 27% were primgravida. Depressed mothers were 41% who scored >12 on EPDS, while 59% were non-depressed who scored >12 on EPDS. Depressed group 18 (42%) scored less than 30 while non-depressed group 8 (13.5%) scored less than 30.
Conclusion: The view of insufficient milk has a significant and control atmosphere in the interruption of breast milk in the postnatal depressive lactating mothers.