Introduction
The birth of a baby and a woman’s transition to motherhood is a joyous occasion for the family. Over the years, there has been an increase in the risk of postnatal depression as mothers are faced with breastfeeding challenges. Maternal depression, a condition following childbirth, is becoming a family issue as it affects the maternal-child bond and the childrearing family. Glavin, Smith, Sorum, & Ellefsen (2010) states depression has “negative consequences for the child’s development, the woman’s health and the relationship between the parents”. This paper focuses on the impact of postnatal depression among women planning to breastfeed but are unable to and its significance to the health of the family. This paper discusses how …show more content…
The World Health Organization recommends breast milk as the only source of food or drink for a baby’s initial six months of life (Gallagher, 2014, p.1). Breastfeeding mothers feel empowered as the early skin-to-skin contact with their infant promotes feelings of being a good mother and reduces maternal anxiety, stress and depression. (Phillips, 2011, p. 18-19). However the increased risk of postpartum depression is becoming a family issue as mothers are faced with increased family responsibility, reduced sleep, and breastfeeding challenges (latching issues, sore nipples, inadequate milk supply). Women, planning to breastfeed and who are unable to, experience a decrease in the mother’s emotional bond to her infant and feel disengaged from her family (Husmillo, 2013, p. 47-48) These women experience guilt and have feelings of incompetency at being a good mother as they worry about their maternal competencies in relation to their baby’s health (Gallagher, 2014, p. …show more content…
1, 5-7). (CNA1, Code of Ethics). The need for nurses to be educated in mental health issues is crucial to address women’s postpartum depression, the societal pressures around breastfeeding and to reinforce that they are good mothers (Foulkes, 2011, p. 455-456). (P). As nurses work with the childbearing and childrearing families, they have an additional responsibility of establishing a relationship with the mother and her family, with a focus that the family is the constant in the child’s life (Coyne, O’Neill, Murphy, Costello, & O’Shea, 2011, p. 2566). (1). Family-centred care principles encourage nursing professionals to meet the demands of the family, to enhance family strength and empower a family’s sense of control and decision making (Perry et al., 2013, p. 793-794) (powerpoint). The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (2005) Nursing Best Practice Guideline – Interventions for Postpartum Depression – suggests the importance of involvement of the family members to provide care to postpartum mothers at risk of depression. Nurses need to work in collaboration with mothers and their family members to develop strategies and care
The birth of a baby and a woman’s transition to motherhood is a joyous occasion for the family. Over the years, there has been an increase in the risk of postnatal depression as mothers are faced with breastfeeding challenges. Maternal depression, a condition following childbirth, is becoming a family issue as it affects the maternal-child bond and the childrearing family. Glavin, Smith, Sorum, & Ellefsen (2010) states depression has “negative consequences for the child’s development, the woman’s health and the relationship between the parents”. This paper focuses on the impact of postnatal depression among women planning to breastfeed but are unable to and its significance to the health of the family. This paper discusses how …show more content…
The World Health Organization recommends breast milk as the only source of food or drink for a baby’s initial six months of life (Gallagher, 2014, p.1). Breastfeeding mothers feel empowered as the early skin-to-skin contact with their infant promotes feelings of being a good mother and reduces maternal anxiety, stress and depression. (Phillips, 2011, p. 18-19). However the increased risk of postpartum depression is becoming a family issue as mothers are faced with increased family responsibility, reduced sleep, and breastfeeding challenges (latching issues, sore nipples, inadequate milk supply). Women, planning to breastfeed and who are unable to, experience a decrease in the mother’s emotional bond to her infant and feel disengaged from her family (Husmillo, 2013, p. 47-48) These women experience guilt and have feelings of incompetency at being a good mother as they worry about their maternal competencies in relation to their baby’s health (Gallagher, 2014, p. …show more content…
1, 5-7). (CNA1, Code of Ethics). The need for nurses to be educated in mental health issues is crucial to address women’s postpartum depression, the societal pressures around breastfeeding and to reinforce that they are good mothers (Foulkes, 2011, p. 455-456). (P). As nurses work with the childbearing and childrearing families, they have an additional responsibility of establishing a relationship with the mother and her family, with a focus that the family is the constant in the child’s life (Coyne, O’Neill, Murphy, Costello, & O’Shea, 2011, p. 2566). (1). Family-centred care principles encourage nursing professionals to meet the demands of the family, to enhance family strength and empower a family’s sense of control and decision making (Perry et al., 2013, p. 793-794) (powerpoint). The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (2005) Nursing Best Practice Guideline – Interventions for Postpartum Depression – suggests the importance of involvement of the family members to provide care to postpartum mothers at risk of depression. Nurses need to work in collaboration with mothers and their family members to develop strategies and care