Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional study in Nevada, USA.

Background: Exclusive (EBF) and continued breastfeeding (CBF) as defined by the World Health Organization are the optimal feeding practices. Perinatal Mental Health Conditions (PMHCs) such as anxiety and depression may influence breastfeeding practices. We aimed to examine if maternal postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms, individually and combined (comorbid), influence EBF and CBF practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022 and March 2023 with 326 mothers of children 0-23 months old, all residing in Clark County, Nevada, USA. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between self-reported postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms and EBF and CBF in the 24 h prior to the survey.

Results: The prevalence of EBF among infants under 6 months old and CBF among children 6-23 months old was 36.3% (n = 41) and 52.1% (n = 111), respectively. After adjusting for maternal socio-demographic, perinatal, and infant/child characteristics, decreased odds of EBF were associated with the presence of postpartum depressive symptoms (AOR 0.13; 95% CI 0.03,0.55) and the comorbid presence of postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms (AOR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04,0.66). Similarly, decreased odds of CBF were associated with the presence of postpartum anxiety symptoms (AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16,0.82).

Conclusions: Postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms decreased the odds of breastfeeding practices among mothers of children under two years old in Clark County, Nevada. However, the relationship may be bidirectional or inverse, requiring further research to clarify. Culturally appropriate interventions to reduce postpartum anxiety and depression are essential to improve breastfeeding practices.