Effects of Breast-Feeding Adaptation and Quality of Sleep on Postpartum Depression in Puerperal Women

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to provide preliminary data for a nursing intervention plan for puerperal women to reduce postpartum depression by investigating factors that affect depressive disorder during the puerperal period. Methods A total of 153 pregnant women were recruited from a university hospital in Gimhae city in Korea. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Results Mothers’ quality of sleep, breast-feeding confidence, discomfort with breastfeeding, depressive feeling during pregnancy, and baby’s feeding capability and growth were significant predictors of postpartum depression. These variables explained 36.1% of the variance in postpartum depression in puerperal women. Conclusion The aforementioned results indicate that puerperal women are less likely to experience postpartum depression when their quality of sleep is higher, breast-feeding confidence is higher, discomfort with breast-feeding is lower, when they did not feel depressed during pregnancy, and when baby’s feeding capability and growth is better. Therefore, to decrease puerperal women’s depression, a nursing intervention program and a research study to verify the effects of the program are necessary to increase mother’s sleep quality and breast-feeding adaptation and prevent depression during pregnancy. Key Words: Puerperium period, Postpartum depression, Breast feeding, Sleep