A systematic review of the benefits of breastfeeding against postpartum depression in low-middle-income countries

Abstract

Background

The positive impact of breastfeeding against postpartum depression has been increasingly reported. However, no studies have systematically and critically examined current evidence on breastfeeding practices’ influences on postpartum depression in LMICs.

Aim

To review the influence of breastfeeding on postpartum depression in LMICs.

Methods

We searched original research in English published over the last ten years (2012 – 2022) within 8 databases: EBSCOhost, EMBASE, Pubmed, Sage Journals, Science Direct, APA PsycArticles, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, and citation tracking. The risk of bias assessment used The Newcastle Ottawa Scale and The Modified Jadad Scale. We followed the PRISMA statement after the protocol had been registered on the PROSPERO. The review included 21 of 11015 articles.

Results

Of 21 articles, 16 examined breastfeeding practices, 2 each investigated breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding education, and 1 each assessed breastfeeding attitude and breastfeeding support. 3 randomized control trials and 5 cohorts revealed that breastfeeding decreased the EPDS scores. However, 4 cross-sectional studies indicated that breastfeeding is nonsignificantly associated with postpartum depression.

Conclusion

This review indicated that breastfeeding may alleviate or prevent postpartum depression. Our findings indicated that integrating breastfeeding-related programs and policies into postpartum depression prevention may benefit public health.

Registration

PROSPERO (CRD42022315143)

Keywords:

• Breastfeeding
• depression
• LMIC
• postpartum

Acknowledgment

We were thankful to I Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra, Ph.D for reviewing and editing the draft.

Authors’ contribution

PNL: concept of the manuscript and keyword for search strategy, search article from the databases, screening articles by title, abstract, and full-text, assessed the risk of bias, writing the original draft. MS: concept of the keyword, screening article by title, abstract, and full text, assessed the risk of bias. WR: third reviewer, conduct of data curation, review and editing draft. All authors reviewed and approved the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.