Receiving screened donor human milk as part of a community-based lactation support programme reduces parental symptoms of anxiety and depression

Abstract

Infant feeding decisions and maternal mental health are closely tied. Donor human milk (DHM) protects premature infant health and development and can reduce hospital stays. Recent qualitative research has highlighted that having the option for an infant to receive DHM can also support parental wellbeing through reducing concerns about infant health and supporting feeding preferences. However, no quantitative study has examined this relationship. In this study, anxiety and depression scores were measured before and after receiving DHM using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for 80 parents (77 mothers, 3 fathers) who had sought DHM from a community-facing milk bank. Reasons for seeking DHM included maternal cancer, maternal and infant health complications, insufficient glandular tissue, and low milk supply. Open-ended questions explored the experience of receiving milk. Milk bank records were used to match details of milk given (volume, duration, exclusivity, lactation support given) with survey responses. Both anxiety and depression scores significantly reduced after receiving milk. Although greater lactation support and longer duration of milk predicted a greater decrease in scores, in a regression analysis, only volume of milk given remained a significant predictor. Almost all parents agreed that being able to access DHM supported their wellbeing predominantly through reducing anxieties around infant health but also through feeding choices being respected and the support given at difficult times. The findings add important considerations to the literature considering when and for whom DHM should be used and the complex interplay between infant feeding and mental health.