Association of birth of girls with postnatal depression and exclusive breastfeeding: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives and hypothesis

To examine the influence of gender of the baby on exclusive breastfeeding and incidence of postnatal depression (PND). We hypothesise that in a society with a male gender bias there may be more PND and less exclusive breastfeeding of the girl child.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

The study was conducted in an urban, tertiary hospital in Delhi.

Participants

Mothers delivering normally with their babies roomed-in.1537 eligible women participated in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Exclusive breastfeeding within the first 48 h of life and score on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were recorded.

Results

3466 babies were born in the hospital. There were 792 girls for every 1000 boys. Among pr

SUBMITTER: Jain A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4054658 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature