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Original Articles: Dwenda Gjerdingen The Effectiveness of Various Postpartum Depression Treatments and the Impact of Antidepressant Drugs on Nursing Infants J Am Board Fam Pract 2003; 16: 372-382 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Another modality in preventing and treating PPD

Harvey Karp   (15 January 2004)

Another modality in preventing and treating PPD 15 January 2004
Harvey Karp, Pediatrician UCLA School of Medicine Send response to journal: Re: Another modality in preventing and treating PPD montee{at}earthlink.net Harvey Karp	I read with interest Dr. Gjerdingen's article on the treatment of PPD.1 However, one modality of treatment not mentioned is teaching parents how to quickly and effectively calm their babies. Persistent infant crying can have a demoralizing effect on new mothers and has been proven to be a potent catalyst for PPD. Professor Lynne Murray and associates at the University of Reading reported that in a population at high risk for developing postpartum depression the primary factor associated with the actual onset of depression was infant crying.2 I recently described a new neonatal reflex called the calming reflex. It is virtually an "off-switch" for crying during the first 3 months of life. Parents can easily be taught how to activate this reflex and calm most colicky babies in minutes.3,4 This approach must be validated with mothers at risk for or suffering from PPD, but it has the potential of greatly benefiting them. Sincerely, Harvey Karp, MD Asistant Professor of Pediatrics UCLA School of Medicine 1 - "The effectiveness of various postpartum depression treatments and the inpact of antidepressant drugs on nursing." Gjerdingen D. Jopurnal of the American Board of Family Practice 2003, 16:372-382 2 - "The role of infant factors in postnatal depression and mother- infant interactions." Murray L, Stanley C, Hooper R, et al. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 1996, 38:109-119 3 - "The Fourth Trimester: A framwork and strategy for understanding and resolving colic." Karp H, Contemporary Pediatrics, in press. 4 - The Happiest Baby on the Block: The new way to calm crying and help your baby sleep longer. Harvey Karp, MD, Bantam Press, 2002.