Postpartum Body Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) Changes among Exclusive Breastfeeding and Non-Exclusively Breastfeeding Mothers of 6-Months Postpartum

Abstract

Introduction: Failure to return to pre-pregnancy weight after pregnancy may be one of the contributing factors to obesity that might impact women’s health in the long term. The main objective of this study was to observe and compare postpartum body weight and BMI changes between exclusive breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers of 6-months postpartum. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted online via Google form related to breastfeeding practises of mothers in Malaysia that were recruited via simple random sampling. Invitation to fill in the form was distributed via identified breastfeeding support group on the social media platform . The participants’ pre-pregnancy and 6-months postpartum weight were self-reported, meanwhile the participants’ 1-month postpartum weight were recorded based on antenatal book record. All variables were described using Descriptive analyses. Independent T-test was used to assess the difference in weight and BMI changes between exclusively and non-exclusively breastfed mothers. Result: A total of 116 mothers were included based on the selection criteria using simple random sampling across Malaysia. 70% of the participants in this study practised exclusive breastfeeding (n = 81). Exclusively breastfeeding mothers showed decreasing postpartum weight (-1.04 ± 4.66 kg) changes whilst non-exclusively breastfeeding mothers of 6-months postpartum showed an increasing pattern (0.32 ± 4.25 kg). However, there was no significant difference in postpartum weight and BMI changes between these two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study found no significant difference in postpartum body weight and BMI changes in exclusively breastfed and non-exclusively breastfeed mothers at 6-months postpartum.