Authors: Katrina M Krause Cheryl A Lovelady Truls Østbye
Publish Date: 2010/09/05
Volume: 15, Issue: 3, Pages: 367-375
Abstract
Excess maternal weight has been negatively associated with breastfeeding We examined correlates of breastfeeding initiation and intensity in a racially diverse sample of overweight and obese women This paper presents a secondary analysis of data from 450 women enrolled in a postpartum weight loss intervention Active Mothers Postpartum AMP Sociodemographic measures and body mass index BMI collected at 6 weeks postpartum were examined for associations with breastfeeding initiation and lactation score a measure combining duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding until 12 months postpartum Data were collected September 2004–April 2007 In multivariable analyses BMI was negatively associated with both initiation of breastfeeding OR 96 CI 92–99 and lactation score β −022 P = 001 Education and infant gestational age were additional correlates of initiation while race working fulltime smoking parity and gestational age were additional correlates of lactation score Some racial differences in these correlates were noted but were not statistically significant Belief that breastfeeding could aid postpartum weight loss was initially high but unrelated to breastfeeding initiation or intensity Maintenance of this belief over time however was associated with lower lactation scores BMI was negatively correlated with breastfeeding initiation and intensity Among overweight and obese women unrealistic expectations regarding the effect of breastfeeding on weight loss may negatively impact breastfeeding duration In general overweight and obese women may need additional encouragement to initiate breastfeeding and to continue breastfeeding during the infant’s first year
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