Association of social support and breastfeeding at 3-months postpartum

As part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial, mothers (n=252) are interviewed at baseline during their post-delivery hospital stay and at 3-months postpartum to assess breastfeeding, breastfeeding support, general social support, and other clinical factors. The associations between breastfeeding duration with demographic factors, breastfeeding support, social support, and clinical factors were examined using bivariate and multivariable analyses. Of the 252 women who completed both the baseline and 3-month surveys, 87% self-identified as White non-Hispanic, 11% as Asian, and 2% as Other. Postpartum factors for Latino and African American women were assessed in a complementary study. Twenty percent of the mothers in this study were foreign-born and the majority were privately insured. Breastfeeding rates were 93% at baseline and 78% at 3-months postpartum. Breastfeeding at 3-months postpartum was more common in women who delivered vaginally than women delivered by c-section (82% vs. 70%, p<.04), mothers who perceived breastfeeding as important than those who didn't (86% vs. 44%, p<.0001), and in mothers encouraged to breastfeed by their partners versus those who were not (84% vs. 67%, p<.0025). General social support measures and depression at baseline were not associated with breastfeeding continuation. In a multivariable model, breastfeeding at 3-months postpartum was significantly associated with perceived importance of breastfeeding, partner support for breastfeeding, and delivery type. Breastfeeding support and maternal perceived importance of breastfeeding are important correlates of breastfeeding duration. Future interventions should focus on stressing the importance of social support and benefits of breastfeeding to extend the duration of breastfeeding.