Postpartum depression decreases with support, Calgary study finds

A new study by Calgary medical researchers suggeststhere is a link between the rate of postpartum depression in new mothers and how muchaccess they get to assistance and support if they havetrouble breastfeeding.

For some mothers, the first year with their baby can be difficult.

"Just feeling a lot of anxiety, and being really over tired and really overwhelmed," saidEmma Stuart Campbell, whosesonFinn isnowthree years old.

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She had problems breastfeeding him and receivedconflicting medical advicethat led to her experiencepostpartum depression, she says.

The Calgary researchers say that'snot uncommon.

They studied more than 400new mothers andfound that 87 per cent of new mothers report moderate or severebreastfeedingproblems andnearly all of them received some form ofbreastfeedingadvice or help.

"As long as that support is positive, even the moms with quite severe breastfeeding difficulties have a reduced rate of depression," said University of Calgary medicalresearcher Dr. KathleenChaput."So the advice and support and services they receive for breastfeeding difficulties have a big impact."

The researcherswant to use their findings to help educate frontline caregivers who assist new mothers.