Cambridge Journals Online

Research Paper

Breast-feeding and maternal mental well-being among Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in north-east England

Sayeda Z Noora1 and Emily K Roushama2 c1 a1 Primary Care Mental Health Service, Newcastle Primary Care Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK a2 Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3TU, UK

Article author query noor sz   rousham ek

Abstract

Objectives To explore the relationship between infant feeding and maternal mental well-being among women of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicity; and to explore the sources of advice, information and support available to women before and after childbirth.

Design A cross-sectional survey of infant feeding and maternal well-being via structured interviews conducted in the home.

Setting Home visits within two inner-city wards of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Subjects Eighty-six women of South Asian ethnicity.

Results Enjoyment of everyday activities was higher among women who breast-fed only (P = 0.028); whereas feeling sad or crying during pregnancy was lower among breast-feeding women (P = 0.005), as was not sleeping well (P = 0.003) and feeling that everything was too much (P = 0.039), compared with women who used formula or mixed feeding. Women who breast-fed only had better mean mood scores than those who formula-fed or those who both breast-fed and formula-fed (P < 0.001). Mean mood responses were also significantly associated with the mother’s level of understanding of English and number of years in education (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003, respectively). The association between method of feeding and maternal mood remained strong after controlling for the effects of English language and maternal education.

Conclusions The study suggests that breast-feeding may be an important mediator of maternal mental well-being after childbirth. Community-based programmes tailored to the needs of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women which support breast-feeding and encourage exclusive breast-feeding may be of benefit.

(Received March 08 2007)

(Accepted July 09 2007)

Key Words: Breast-feeding; Postnatal depression; Ethnicity

Correspondence:

^c1 Corresponding author: Email e.k.rousham@lboro.ac.uk