Infant Education Helps Depressed Moms

Infants rely on parental interaction for stimulation and healthy development. Unfortunately, that interaction is often interrupted by the post-partum depression which affects about 30 percent of mothers. However, a new Canadian study published in this month's issue of Journal of Affective Disorders shows that when these moms are treated and given guidance on understanding and responding to baby behavior, their infants may develop normally even before their moms return to health.

The study involved 11 mild to moderately depressed mothers in a six-week intervention program focusing on infant behaviors, cues and interaction. They and their babies were taped both before and after the program and monitored for infant facial expressions. The babies showed great increases in response, with 67 percent of infants showing interest in their mothers' expressions and 13 percent displaying joy after the program compared to just 32 and 2.8 percent respectively prior to the intervention.

Researchers say this shows that focusing on the mother's symptoms alone isn't enough to ensure healthy infant development. They further note that all mothers may benefit from such programs rather than assuming "maternal instinct" will carry them through.