The Lack of Association of Infant Gender with Postpartum Depression and Breastfeeding Duration

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the association between infant gender and both postpartum depression and breastfeeding duration at multiple time points during the postpartum period.

Methods:

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted between March and December 2022 in Turkey with a sample of 311 postpartum women. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Breastfeeding Characteristics Form within the first 24 hours postpartum. The Breastfeeding Characteristics Form was readministered via telephone at 3 and 6 months postpartum.

Results:

Of the infants born, 50.5% (n = 157) were female and 49.5% (n = 154) were male. In the first 24 hours postpartum, 87.8% (n = 273) of mothers scored below 12 on the EPDS, while 12.2% (n = 38) scored 12 or above. Mothers who knew the infant’s gender before birth had significantly lower EPDS scores than those who did not. Similarly, planned pregnancies and immediate postnatal contact with the infant were associated with significantly lower EPDS scores (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant association was found between infant gender and either postpartum depression or breastfeeding duration at any time point.

Conclusions:

Infant gender was not found to have a significant association with postpartum depression or breastfeeding duration. These findings suggest that other maternal and perinatal factors may have a greater impact on postpartum mental health and breastfeeding outcomes.

Implications and Contributions:

This study examines the association of infant gender with postpartum depression and breastfeeding duration in women who give birth.

In traditional societies, there has been a strong focus on determining the gender of the unborn baby due to pressures related to preserving inheritance, ensuring the continuation of the lineage, and similar factors. This study is important to highlight that infant gender does not show a significant association with maternal postpartum depression or breastfeeding, thereby emphasizing the need to focus on other maternal and perinatal factors that may play a more critical role in supporting mother—infant bonding and breastfeeding during the postpartum period.