Breastfeeding and Nutrition Outline

I. Introduce Topic – Breastfeeding and Nutrition

A. Mother’s nutrition during breastfeeding is important (Allen, 2005).

1. Lactating mothers lack key nutrients, such as thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, vitamin A, and iodine (Allen, 2005, p. 1208S).

2. Anemia also increases the risk of postpartum depression (Allen, 2005, p. 1207S).

3. Low omega-3 intake increases the risk of depression (Fitelson et al., 2011, p. 9).

B. Historical research was focused on psychological reasons for postpartum depression, but the condition now believed to be biological instead (Mawson & Xueyuan, 2013, p. 1129).

1. Important to study the factors that cause postpartum depression.

C. Nutrition may play a factor in the number of cases of postpartum depression.

II. Theory - Prolonged breastfeeding naturally reduces the risk of postpartum depression in mothers.

1. Breastfeeding is a natural protective mechanism.

III. Review of Literature – Breastfeeding and postpartum depression.

A. Topic 1 – Breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum depression in mothers. (Mawson & Xueyuan, 2013, p. 1129).

1. Provides vital nutrients to an infant.

2. Provides a natural way to reduce retinoids in the mother.

a) Pregnant women accumulate retinoids in the liver and in the breasts in preparation for lactation.

b) Breast milk is high in retinoids.

c) Retinoids are not dangerous to infants.

d) High concentrations of retinoids are associated with cognitive disturbances such as improper decision-making and mood disorders, including postpartum depression.

B. Topic 3 – Nutritional guidelines for a mother to minimize postpartum depression.

1. Take a nutritional supplement to reverse vitamin deficiencies when breastfeeding (Allen, 2005, p. 1208S).

2. Eat more animal source foods, fruits, and vegetables (Allen, 2005, p. 1209S).

3. Take Omega-3 supplements (Freeman et al., 2006, p. 31).

4. Dosages and ultimate effectiveness still unproven (Ellsworth-Bowers & Corwin, 2012, p. 192).

IV. How does your study contribute to the literature?

A. Expand on biological component of postpartum depression and possible interventions.

1. Impact of nutrition on postpartum depression.

V. Concluding Statement

A. Short summary of the literature

B. Hypothesis

1. Breastfeeding may improve symptoms of postpartum depression. 

References

Allen, L. H. (2005). Multiple micronutrients in pregnancy and lactation: an overview. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 81(5), 1206S-1212S.

Ellsworth-Bowers, E., & Corwin, E.J. (2012). Nutrition and the psychoneuroimmunology of postpartum depression. Nutrition Research Reviews, 25(1), 180-192.

Fitelson, E., Kim, S., Baker, A. S., & Leight, K. (2011). Treatment of postpartum depression: clinical, psychological and pharmacological options. International Journal of Women's Health, 3, 1-14.

Freeman, M. P., Hibbeln, J. R., Wisner, K. L., Brumbach, B. H., Watchman, M., & Gelenberg, A. J. (2006). Randomized dose-ranging pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids for postpartum depression. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113(1), 31-35.

Mawson, A., & Xueyuan, X. (2013). Breastfeeding, retinoids, and postpartum depression: A new theory. Journal of Affective Disorders, 150(3), 1129-1135.