Pacifiers and Breastfeeding Among Mothers at Risk for Postpartum Depression

Effect of Hospital Pacifier Distribution on Breastfeeding Among Mothers at High Risk for Postpartum Depression

We will enroll 40 mother-infant dyads in a randomized trial exploring the effect of distribution of pacifiers during the birth hospitalization to mothers at high risk for postpartum depression on pacifier use, infant feeding, and maternal stress.

This study is a pilot a randomized controlled trial to determine if pacifier distribution affects breastfeeding among mothers at high risk for postpartum depression. We will recruit 40 mothers of healthy singleton births in a U.S. hospital who are at high risk of postpartum depression and randomly assign them to receive a pacifier or not. We will ascertain pacifier use, maternal stress, and infant feeding behaviors with web-based surveys at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Mothers will also wear a wristband to detect maternal heart rate variability throughout the first 6 weeks as a marker of maternal stress.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Breastfeeding mother/infant dyad, receiving postpartum care at UC Davis Medical Center, maternal personal or family history of depression or postpartum depression, mother 18-45 years of age, infant 12-72 hours of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• infant without congenital anomalies that could affect feeding (cleft lip/palate, chromosomal anomaly, micro or retrognathia), infant preterm (born prior to 37 weeks' gestation), mother unable to participate in English, infant admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, No smart phone