Exploring the relationship between breastfeeding and psychological well-being after traumatic childbirth: a secondary analysis of the PERCEIVE study data.

BACKGROUND

The relation between maternal mental health and breastfeeding is complex, with breastfeeding often associated with improved well-being.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates associations between breastfeeding outcomes and psychological well-being in women with traumatic birth experience (TBE).

METHODS

This exploratory secondary analysis utilized data from the PERCEIVE randomized controlled trial, which assessed the effectiveness of early eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after TBE. Women with self-reported TBE (n = 143) were recruited between 2020 and 2023 from a hospital and midwifery practices in the Netherlands. Breastfeeding status was assessed at two (T0) and nine (T1) weeks postpartum. Outcomes were assessed using validated questionnaires on mother‒infant bonding (PBQ), PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), depression (EPDS), fear of childbirth (W-DEQ-B), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF).

RESULTS

Among 143 participants, 126 initiated breastfeeding. At T0, breastfeeding women reported fewer symptoms of mother‒infant bonding difficulties, compared with non-breastfeeding women, p = 0.004. At T1, descriptive analyses found that participants who stopped breastfeeding reported more PTSD and depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that breastfeeding enhances mother-infant bonding after TBE. The weaker bonding reported in nonbreastfeeding participants, coupled with possible poorer mental health outcomes, underscores the need for targeted interventions to support breastfeeding and bonding in this population.