# Prenatal Planning and Breastfeeding: Buffering Postpartum Depression Through Positive Affect

## TL;DR

This study explores how planning a pregnancy may reduce postpartum depression symptoms through positive emotions, especially when breastfeeding is shorter than six months.

## Contribution

The study introduces a moderated mediation model linking prenatal planning, positive affect, and postpartum depression, moderated by breastfeeding duration.

## Key findings

- Pregnancy planning is indirectly linked to fewer postpartum depression symptoms through increased positive affect.
- This indirect effect is significant only for mothers who breastfed for less than six months.
- No significant association was found for mothers who breastfed longer than six months.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: In the context of maternal mental health, this cross-sectional study investigates a moderated mediation model to explore how prenatal planning is associated with postpartum depression. Specifically, we examined whether planned pregnancy (X) is associated with fewer postpartum depression symptoms (Y) through greater positive affect (M), and whether the indirect association is moderated by breastfeeding duration (W). Methods: Data were collected from 117 postpartum mothers via self-report questionnaires that measured the degree of pregnancy planning, positive affect, postpartum depression symptoms, and breastfeeding duration. Bootstrap analyses were performed to assess the conditional indirect effects across two levels of breastfeeding duration. Results: The findings suggest an indirect association between pregnancy planning and postpartum depressive symptoms through positive affect, moderated by breastfeeding duration. This association was statistically significant only among mothers who breastfed for less than six months, indicating that the protective emotional effect of pregnancy planning may be more evident in this group. No significant indirect effects were observed in mothers who breastfed beyond this duration. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that positive affect may be a pathway through which prenatal planning relates to maternal well-being, particularly in the context of breastfeeding practices. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn. Future longitudinal research is needed to confirm these associations.