Effectiveness of Kangaroo Care for a Patient with Postpartum Depression and Comorbid Mother-Infant Bonding Disorder

Abstract

The presently reported patient was a 37-year-old married primipara with peripartum depression comorbid with bonding disorder. Care anxiety and a lack of affection towards her baby first appeared at around the time of delivery, and the patient developed major depression at one month after the birth of her healthy baby. At first, standard treatment for major depression including the use of antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy, and supportive psychotherapy were provided. However, bonding problems appeared to impede and obstruct the amelioration of depression. Although treatment methods for bonding disorder have not yet been established, Kangaroo Care was introduced to facilitate skin-to-skin contact. We also educated her in better parenting behavior and provided repeated motivational interviews with her family because a lack of partner and social support and personal temperament (low self-directedness and cooperativeness) were thought to be related to her bonding disorder. This case suggests the effectiveness of Kangaroo Care, which promotes a humanizing maturation of both baby and parent alike, for mothers with postpartum depression and comorbid severe bonding disorder.