Relationship between Child Care Exhaustion and Breastfeeding Type at Two and Six Months in a Cohort of 1210 Japanese Mothers.

Tomoya Suzuki,Keisuke Nojiri,Yasuhiro Toba,Kyoko Nomura,Satoshi Higurashi,Yuta Tsujimori

doi:10.3390/nu14061138

Tomoya Suzuki, Keisuke Nojiri + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14061138

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Mar 8, 2022
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Akita University, Megmilk Snow Brand (Japan)

Abstract

This study investigated whether parenting stress is associated with breastfeeding type (exclusive or partial). Between 2014 and 2019, we recruited 1210 healthy mothers (mean age, 31.2 years; 65%, multiparity) from 73 obstetric institutions across all prefectures of Japan. Among these, 1120 mothers at two months and 1035 mothers at six months were investigated for parenting stress and breastfeeding type: exclusive versus otherwise (partial). Parenting stress was measured by a validated Japanese scale consisting of childcare exhaustion, worry about child’s development, and no partner support. Exclusive breastfeeding prevalence was 75% at two and 78% at six months. The total scores for childcare exhaustion and worry about child development were statistically higher in the partial breastfeeding group than in the exclusive breastfeeding group at two months but not at six months. A logistic regression model demonstrated that childcare exhaustion was significantly associated with an increased risk of having partial breastfeeding at two months after adjusting for the maternal Body Mass Index, parity, and baby’s current weight. However, the association was no longer significant at six months. The present study suggests that intervention for parenting stress at two months postpartum may promote prolonged exclusive breastfeeding.

Highlights

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’sEmergency Fund (UNICEF) recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life [1]
A study reported that longer breastfeeding duration was associated with a lower maternal risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, irrespective of the pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and abdominal adiposity after delivery [4]
We previously reported that overweight or obese mothers, gestational week, cesarean section, nulliparity, older maternal age [9,10], and mental anxiety [11] were associated with an increased risk of not initiating/continuing breastfeeding

Summary

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’sEmergency Fund (UNICEF) recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life [1]. Breastmilk is safe, clean, and contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses [2]. Some studies have reported that exclusive breastfeeding helps protect against common infections during infancy and reduces the frequency and severity of infectious episodes [2] and sudden infant death syndrome [3]. The benefits are for infants and for mothers. A study reported that longer breastfeeding duration was associated with a lower maternal risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, irrespective of the pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and abdominal adiposity after delivery [4]. The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding have been proven and about 90% of Japanese mothers agree with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, only 51.6% breastfeed their infant to any extent at one month after delivery [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion