Relation Between Initiation of Breastfeeding Success and Postpartum Depression.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of initiation of breastfeeding success on postpartum depression (PPD) among women who gave birth in Quebec.

Methods: Secondary analysis of the "Quality of Care, Obstetrics Risk Management, and Mode of Delivery" trial (QUARISMA trial), conducted in Quebec from 1 April 2008 to 31 October 2011 to reduce rates of cesarean delivery in Quebec.

Inclusion Criteria: all women ≥18 years old who gave birth at the hospital of a single baby ≥37 weeks of gestation. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the impact of initiation of breastfeeding success on PPD rates. Outcome was reported using adjusted ORs with 95% CIs.

Results: A total of 151 708 women (21 525 women with unsuccessful initiation of breastfeeding and 130 183 women with successful initiation of breastfeeding) were selected to participate in this study. We observed a significant association between initiation of breastfeeding success and a lower rate of PPD (0.16% vs. 0.29%) (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.41-0.79, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Initiation of breastfeeding success is significantly associated with a lower risk of PPD.