Postpartum Depression May Be Linked To Colic
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According to the Archives of Diseases in Childhood, May 2006 which was recently in the news- the research study results out of Turkey suggest that postpartum depression may be linked to colic. However, this is just a suggestion. The lead author of the study stated that colic is extremely common among infants. He also said that there is still only a small amount of information toward deciding whether or not it is linked to postpartum depression in the mother.

The study was conducted with 78 mothers who had given birth within a month. They were asked to take tests that were standardized across the board that had as their goal the detection of postpartum depression. Meanwhile, each of these mothers' babies was also tested – for colic.

Of the 78 mothers, 10 were in a high risk category for postpartum depression. Of the 78 infants, 17 had colic. The percentage of mothers at high risk for postpartum depression that also had colicky babies was significantly higher than mothers not at risk.

The possible link between colic and postpartum depression may be found in the fact that women with the problem often don't form a very strong bond with their new babies. The lack of attachment may be a contributory factor to the baby's colic. The mothers who tested as having attachment disorder, a relative of postpartum depression, were much more likely to have a baby with colic.

The possibility that colic may be linked to postpartum depression is not without its solution. Early diagnosis and treatment of the mother's state of mind can decrease the possibility of detachment between mother and child as well as colic. Of course, further studies are necessary to definitively determine whether or not postpartum depression and colic are linked.


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