Maternal depressive symptoms and early parenting practices
Categories: Just For Moms, Pregnancy & Birth, Safety, Development
Have you ever wondered about the parenting practices of those mothers who suffer depression after giving birth? I have. An article in a recent issue of Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine answered a few questions I had. The study was aimed at determining whether maternal depressive symptoms, reported when infants are 2 to 4 months old, were associated with mothers' early parenting practices. The data analyzed were collected from the National Evaluation of Healthy Steps for Young Children. Data sources included newborn enrollment questionnaires and parent interviews when infants were 2 to 4 months old; maternal depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. A total of 5565 families enrolled in Healthy Steps; 4874 mothers (88%) completed 2- to 4-month interviews and provided Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale data; 17.8% of mothers reported having depressive symptoms. Ten parenting practices assessed in 3 domains: safety (sleep position and lowering water temperature), feeding (cereal, water, or juice; continuing breast-feeding), and practices to promote child development (showing books, playing with infant, talking to infant, and following 2 or more routines).
The results indicated that mothers with and without depressive symptoms reported similar uses of safety and feeding practices. Mothers with depressive symptoms had reduced odds of continuing breast-feeding, showing books, playing with the infant, talking to the infant, and following routines. The investigators concluded that maternal depressive symptoms are common in early infancy and contribute to unfavorable parenting practices.
I have to take issue with parts of this study. Having been smacked with some post partum depression after the birth of our two year-old son, Devon, I struggled with depression and anxiety for quite some time. I nursed Devon until he was 18 months-old, far longer than I did either of my other two children. I read to him, and continue to do so, every day. I took him for walks, chatted with him, sang to him. Sure I locked myself in the bathroom at the end of the day and cried, and often I would do the same during his nap times. I took various medications to combat the depression which ultimately resulted in me getting fairly ill. All said, it was a difficult time. But never did I lose sight of the fact that I had a newborn baby to feed and nurture. I understand that the study does not encompass all moms with depression, but I think it lacks. What about you? Any thoughts?
The results indicated that mothers with and without depressive symptoms reported similar uses of safety and feeding practices. Mothers with depressive symptoms had reduced odds of continuing breast-feeding, showing books, playing with the infant, talking to the infant, and following routines. The investigators concluded that maternal depressive symptoms are common in early infancy and contribute to unfavorable parenting practices.
I have to take issue with parts of this study. Having been smacked with some post partum depression after the birth of our two year-old son, Devon, I struggled with depression and anxiety for quite some time. I nursed Devon until he was 18 months-old, far longer than I did either of my other two children. I read to him, and continue to do so, every day. I took him for walks, chatted with him, sang to him. Sure I locked myself in the bathroom at the end of the day and cried, and often I would do the same during his nap times. I took various medications to combat the depression which ultimately resulted in me getting fairly ill. All said, it was a difficult time. But never did I lose sight of the fact that I had a newborn baby to feed and nurture. I understand that the study does not encompass all moms with depression, but I think it lacks. What about you? Any thoughts?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ethel 8-21-2006 @ 7:57PM
Yesterday I spent crying, the whole day. My 19 month old's behavior was especially troublesome, harrying the dog, stealing the 6 week's old pacifier, throwing his wooden blocks. He has more toys in HOLD then he has to play with since he decided to use them inappropriately. My 6 week old was crying becuase I was. Mostly I was crying about being so isolated, and knowing that most people don't know me (like at church) and they seem not to care. I was crying about having such a promising beginning and now all I am is a breeder. I was crying about being a bad mom.
When I went to take a nap I fell asleep thinking about if I died right now it would be okay - my husband would get home soon (the babies were napping too) and even if the kids were crying they'd be easily comforted. And when I was praying that I would die, I realized I do want to die - just not bodily, I wanted that sadness to die, that poor mom to die. When I woke up that sadness was gone. I hope the depression that so many moms deal with is lifted, at least a little becuase I do think it affects our kids. Kids are sensitive to their parents and they know, whether you like it or not.
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Spring 8-22-2006 @ 12:14AM
Ethel I am so sorry you are going through that. I wish I could come help you out for a day and give you a break and some company. I hope you feel better soon.
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jen 8-22-2006 @ 4:22AM
I would say this study is pretty spot on, IMO.
I have suffered from PPD since soon after my son was born, 12 months ago. Although my son has never been in any danger, I have really struggled to care for him at some points, especially where book reading and talking is concerned. I have literally had to force myself to speak to him on some occasions (the major affect of my depression is an inability to speak). I am able to provide for him, cook for him, and I made a conscious decision to continue breastfeeding him for as long as possible - in some part to strengthen a bond that I felt it was very hard to make. But I feel I have such a limited reserve of energy, that it gets 'used up' by the essentials, and I seem to run out of steam on these before I can get to the reading, the playing, and the talking. It's so hard, as I know what I am meant to be doing, but it's such a sruggle to do it.
Luckily I have the most fantastic health visitor, who referred me to an amazing charity called Oxpip (www.Oxpip.com), which has provided specialist mother-baby counselling and play therapy, to establish the bond with my son. It's a geographical lottery, and I got very lucky. I do feel that more help and support should be given to mothers suffering from PPD, as it is so important that a strong bond is consolidated with their child - otherwise it can become a Catch22 situation, with the mother not wanting to care for a baby who doesn't respond to them, due to a poor bond.
I think that PPD expresses itself in different ways dependant on the mother's personality, but to generalise - it's very easy to see the immediate consequences and rewards of feeding your child and keeping them safe (and rapid results are important when you feel you are failing), but the rewards of reading or talking to to a small baby are not instantaneous, which can be very demoralising when you don't think you can do anything right, and you doubt your abilities as a mother.
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Brenda 8-22-2006 @ 11:19AM
Hmmmm I have a lot of trouble reading to my baby (5 months) I feel silly and if there is paper within a 10ft radius of him he tries to shred and eat it.
I will talk to him in short goes, but if I have to keep babbling I feel I will go insane.
If his schedule is out of whack I have trouble. I find it hard to respond to what he wants when I know he needs a nap and just won't sleep. It is worse if I need a nap too.
However I am far less depressed now than before I got pregnant. I no longer am haunted by thoughts of killing myself, I want to run away less, escape less. However, I do not know whether I am still depressed.
Do most mom's really enjoy reading to infants? Seriously I love reading and figured it would be easy. But I do not find it so.
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Missy 8-22-2006 @ 2:33PM
I have 2 very young children only 22 months apart, I have suffered depression and anxiety pretty bad for about 2 years. I am on Effexor and can take Ativan if necessary. It has been a God send literally. I pray every day for the Mom in me that is sad or depressed to go away. And at the end of the day I am so glad to have a break from my kids. BUT I NEVER HAVE NOR EVER WILL LET MY KIDS FEEL LIKE I AM NOT TAKING CARE OF THEM. That is one reason I am on meds and sought counseling. My counselor is wonderful and I see her twice a month. I learn better ways to cope when I am feeling depressed or feeling extra anxious. I learned my trigger points which helps tremendously. I also have 2 teenage step daughters who live with my husband and me. They can be very trying at times. So just know that with the right help, you can feel and do better.
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thordora 8-22-2006 @ 6:38PM
Seems to mirror my experience in terms of what I would call "extraneous" care-i.e.-baby will not die if I don't read to them.
I don't bond well with young children under one, period. I have trouble parenting something that acts like a jack russell on speed somedays, and I certainly found reading hard to do, and would then get upset that such a voracious reader like myself couldn't read Goodnight Moon to a baby.
But as I detailed on my own blog,(http://vomitcomit.blogspot.com/2006/08/honestly.html) I did MANY things that could be perceived as endangering my child, esp the second time around.
I;d want to read the study itself-I can't seem to get to it...but it's been a long day...
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