When Breast Milk Alone Is Not Enough: Barriers to Breastfeeding Continuation among Overweight and Obese Mothers

Laura R Kair; Tarah T Colaizy

doi:10.1177/0890334415605303

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When Breast Milk Alone Is Not Enough: Barriers to Breastfeeding Continuation among Overweight and Obese Mothers

Journal article

Peer reviewed

When Breast Milk Alone Is Not Enough: Barriers to Breastfeeding Continuation among Overweight and Obese Mothers

Laura R Kair and Tarah T Colaizy

Journal of human lactation, Vol.32(2), pp.250-257

05/2016

DOI: 10.1177/0890334415605303

PMID: 26378016

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Abstract

Maternal overweight and obesity are associated with decreased breastfeeding duration. This study aimed to identify barriers to breastfeeding continuation among overweight and obese mothers. A retrospective cohort study examining breastfeeding continuation barriers was conducted using results of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey from Illinois, Maine, and Vermont from 2004 to 2008. SAS Complex Survey version 9.3 was used for analysis. Of 19,145 mothers surveyed, 3717 (19%) were obese and 4367 (23%) were overweight. Overall, 14,731 women initiated breastfeeding, and 6467 discontinued breastfeeding prior to survey completion, around 4 months postpartum. The most common reasons that mothers reported for discontinuing breastfeeding were insufficient milk supply, infant not satisfied with breast milk alone, and breastfeeding difficulty. Overweight and obese women, compared with women of normal weight, had higher odds of discontinuing breastfeeding because their babies were not satisfied by breast milk alone (overweight: odds ratio [OR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.68; obese: OR = 1.26, 95% CI, 1.03-1.54). Obese mothers, compared with normal weight mothers, had lower odds of discontinuing breastfeeding because it felt like the right time (OR = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.47-0.88) and higher odds of discontinuing due to breastfeeding difficulties (OR = 1.29, 95% CI, 1.05-1.58) and infant jaundice (OR = 1.81, 95% CI, 1.26-2.60). Obese and overweight mothers were significantly more likely to discontinue breastfeeding due to infant dissatisfaction with breast milk alone. Obese mothers had higher odds than normal weight mothers of discontinuing breastfeeding due to breastfeeding difficulties and infant jaundice. Breastfeeding education and support should be enhanced for this at-risk population.

Obesity - psychology

Humans

Infant

Infant Behavior

Logistic Models

Obesity - physiopathology

Maternal Behavior - physiology

Breast Feeding - statistics & numerical data

Overweight - physiopathology

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Young Adult

Breast Feeding - psychology

Health Surveys

Time Factors

Adolescent

Adult

Female

Retrospective Studies

Overweight - psychology

Infant, Newborn

Maternal Behavior - psychology

Details

Title: Subtitle: When Breast Milk Alone Is Not Enough: Barriers to Breastfeeding Continuation among Overweight and Obese Mothers
Creators: Laura R Kair - Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA laura-kair@uiowa.edu
Tarah T Colaizy - Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of human lactation, Vol.32(2), pp.250-257
DOI: 10.1177/0890334415605303
PMID: 26378016
ISSN: 0890-3344
eISSN: 1552-5732
Language: English
Date published: 05/2016
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Neonatology
Record Identifier: 9984093503902771

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