Relationship between use of labor pain medications and breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum

Background: Previous studies have found that use of labor pain medications is associated with delayed onset of lactation, which is known to be associated with early cessation of breastfeeding. We investigated the relationship between labor pain medication use and breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. Methods: Using data from the 2005–2007 Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a longitudinal study of mothers and infants, this study included women who initiated breastfeeding and intended prenatally to breastfeed for >2 months (n=1904). The main outcome of interest, duration of any breastfeeding, was dichotomized (≥6 vs <6 weeks). The primary predictor variable was use of pain medication during labor or delivery. This abstract focuses on vaginal deliveries only because all caesareans were medicated. Fully adjusted logistic regression models controlled for maternal socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral characteristics, and number of hospital practices received related to breastfeeding support. Results: Overall, 14.4% of women who intended to breastfeed for >2 months reported breastfeeding for <6 weeks postpartum. In adjusted analyses, women who had a medicated vaginal delivery were more likely to cease breastfeeding before 6 weeks compared to mothers who delivered vaginally and received no medications (aOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.25, 3.30). Conclusions: Women who delivered vaginally and received labor pain medications were more likely to breastfeed for <6 weeks. The use of labor pain medications may limit the ability to breastfeed successfully. Further studies on the mechanisms behind this relationship are warranted.