Unveiling New Dimensions: A Hermeneutic Exploration of Perinatal Mood Disorder and Infant Feeding

Abstract

In this hermeneutic study, six women from the local Perinatal Mental Health Program were interviewed about their experiences with infant feeding. None of the women in the study were breastfeeding their infants. The research question centered on their experience of formula feeding with a view to gaining better insight about the issues that women face when feeding practices do not conform to best-practice (i.e., breastfeeding) promotional standards. We also considered the needs of nurses working in the mental health setting, who may face conflicting recommendations concerning the treatment of a mental health crisis in the presence of current infant feeding best-practice guidelines. Our findings support concerns that current guidelines overlook the special needs of women who live with perinatal mood disorder. We speculate that breastfeeding challenges may present a risk for postpartum depression in women who are biologically vulnerable. The need for ongoing assessment for emerging depression among women who are experiencing breastfeeding challenges is identified. The importance of deepened understanding among mental health nurses is highlighted.