Breastfeeding Pattern and Duration and Post-Partum Maternal Weight Retention

Background/Aim: The aims were to investigate the association of breastfeeding (BF) duration with maternal postpartum weight retention (PPWR) at 12 months after delivery. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, mothers were interviewed at birth, and at 3, and 12 months after delivery to gather information on socio-demographic and reproductive maternal characteristics, BF initiation, BF pattern at 3 months and BF duration, as well as to measure maternal anthropometric indicators. Results: A negative association between BF intensity at 3-months and maternal PPWR was found at 3-months and 12-months after delivery. In adjusted multivariable linear regression, for each month of EBF increase between birth and 3-months postpartum, there was a mean decrease of 0.21 kg in maternal long-term PPWR; and for each month of any BF increase between birth and 12 months postpartum, there was a mean decrease of 0.11 kg in maternal long-term PPWR. Maternal younger ages weakened the negative long-term effect of BF on PPWR and the greater levels of maternal pre-gestational body mass index annulled the effect of any BF on PPWR. Conclusion: This study supports the evidence that BF improves the reduction of PPWR and suggests that encouraging prolonged EBF and any BF may contribute to decrease PPWR.