Future rigorous studies investigating vitamin D and postpartum depression are warranted with larger sample sizes using confirmatory methods to diagnose postpartum depression.

This integrative review evaluates research studies that investigated the association between vitamin D and mood disorders affecting women to determine whether further research comparing these variables is warranted. A literature search using CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases was conducted to locate peer-reviewed mood disorder research studies that measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels. Four of six studies reviewed imparted significant results, with all four showing an association between low 25(OH)D levels and higher incidences of four mood disorders: premenstrual syndrome, seasonal affective disorder, non-specified mood disorder, and major depressive disorder. This review indicates a possible biochemical mechanism occurring between vitamin D and mood disorders affecting women, warranting further studies of these variables using rigorous methodologies.

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The data from this study support the use of this test weighing technique as an accurate, objective assessment of the measurement of breastmilk intake after a breastfeeding session, thus allowing medical decisions regarding supplementation to be based on objective data rather than inaccurate clinical indices of the quality of infant feedings at the breast.

The Ameda Platinum breast pump is an effective hospital-grade pump for exclusively pumping mothers to establish full milk production by 14 days postpartum. Separate control of speed and suction allows mothers a wide range of options to achieve greater comfort and multiple milk ejections, both of which contribute to optimal milk expression.