Infant Feeding Goal Attainment and Maternal Mental Health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to investigate the relationship between infant feeding goals, the attainment of the goals and its link to maternal mental health.
IRAS ID
309486
Contact name
Jill Pell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS GG&C
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 9 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The aim of the study is to collect primary data via online questionnaire, regarding antenatal infant feeding intention, postnatal infant feeding reality and maternal mental health. Also to look at infant feeding support offered prior to and after delivery. This will add to a body of research around infant feeding goals and maternal mental health.Summary of Results
Objective: to determine the relationship between maternal infant feeding goal attainment and postnatal mental health.Design: Part 1: a systematic review of current literature on infant feeding goal attainment and maternal mental health. Part 2: A retrospective cohort study to determine the effect of infant feeding goal attainment on maternal mental health and the role of infant feeding support in this relationship.
Setting: Recruitment was UK wide online and via health care professionals within Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health board.
Participants: 121 first time mothers.Exposure: Antenatal infant feeding intention, postnatal feeding outcome and specifically infant feeding goal attainment were recorded.
Outcome: Subjects self reported mental health symptoms, low mood, anxiety, and guilt along with type of social support and the role social support played in feeding decisions.Results: Failure to meet infant feeding goals was significantly associated with increased guilt (OR 5.65, 95% CI 1.60 – 19.95, p<0.01) and low mood (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.13 - 12.06, p=0.03) in the postnatal period. There was no association with anxiety. Mothers supported with feeding method of choice were significantly more likely to meet their infant feeding goals (p<0.001). Once support was accounted for in the overall analysis, only postnatal guilt remained significant (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.10 – 9.11, p=0.03) and for the subgroup of those who intended to exclusively breastfeed, the odds doubled for guilt (OR 6.89, 95% CI 1.89–25.04, p<0.01).
Conclusions: Failure to meet Infant feeding goals could predict postnatal maternal distress. Managing maternal antenatal expectations and implementing strategies to support infant feeding goal attainment could improve maternal mental health in the postnatal period.
This will direct future research tackling root causes of post natal depression. This will provide evidence for targeted improvement to antenatal and postnatal infant feeding advice and support.
Subjects: first time mothers with infant aged three weeks to twelve months old.
Questionnaire: information will be collected retrospectively on mother’s infant feeding intention during pregnancy. Information will collected on feeding outcome, retrospectively asking for infant feeding method used when infant was three weeks of age. Information will be collected on maternal mental health prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, after delivery.A questionnaire has been designed using Jisc online survey generator with a University of Glasgow account. The link to the questionnaire will be shared on social media platforms such as mumsnet, twitter, facebook and instagram. In addition, a cohort of mothers will also be targeted. This will be done via flyers distributed by health visitors within the greater Glasgow and Clyde area during baby checks. A QR code will be created for the questionnaire which will direct them to the online survey. The flyer will contain participant information.
The data once collated will be analysed using STATA statistical package. The results will be written up as part of a masters project and may be presented at conferences or in publications. This information will be shared with participants prior to undertaking the questionnaire.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0030
Date of REC Opinion
28 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion