ABSTRACT
Background: Evidence shows that breastfeeding has a major role to play in public health, promoting health and preventing disease in the short and long-term for both mother and infant (NICE [1]). In addition to the established benefits, exclusive breastfeeding is suggested as an effective method of weight loss during the postpartum period due to the increased energy costs of lactation (Hatsu et al. [2]).However this potential benefit is very dependent on the duration of exclusive breast-feeding. Breastfeeding may also be related to improved maternal mental well-being (Mezzacappa [3]). This aim of the study is to assess the role of breastfeeding in postpartum women on weight loss through self-reported weight measurements pre-pregnancy and current weights and to compare levels of mental well-being with those women who were not breastfeeding. Methods: Postpartum women, who had given birth in the last year, were invited to complete an online SurveyMonkey questionnaire, live from 12/10/12 to 09/11/12, posted on pregnancy forums – selected because there was no charge attached to the posting. The questionnaire, including 84 questions, was developed from previous questionnaires written by the University of Nottingham MAGIC study team to explore the predictors of weight management in post-partum women. For this research responses to seven questions were analysed. An independent t-test was conducted to investigate the relationship of breastfeeding with weight change postpartum. A Mann-Whitney U Test used to analyse the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal body satisfaction, well-being and confidence returning to pre-pregnancy weight. This data was nonparametric and was scored on a scale with a mean score used to calculate statistical significance. Ethical approval was obtained on the 18/5/2012 from the University of Nottingham School of Sociology and Social Policy. Results: The sample of 1405 postpartum women ranged in age from under 20 years to 49 years with 50.9% breastfeeding and 49.1% non-breastfeeding. No statistical significance was found between breastfeeding and postpartum weight loss. Breastfeeding women were significantly more satisfied with their body (p<0.01) compared to those not breast-feeding. The study also found a positive correlation between breastfeeding and well-being. Breastfeeding women reported feeling more calm and peaceful (p<0.005). Breastfeeding women were significantly less likely to feel downhearted and low (p<0.002). But there was no statistical difference in energy levels. Breastfeeding women were significantly more confident about losing their gestational weight (p<0.01). Discussion: Breastfeeding was not associated with improved postpartum weight loss but those women who were breast-feeding felt more confident about being able to lose weight and return to their pre-pregnancy weight compared to those women not breast-feeding. The study did find a positive correlation between breastfeeding and increased body satisfaction and maternal mental well-being. Study limitations are that the respondents were at different stages postpartum and the responses were not definite as to the duration of breastfeeding or its exclusivity. Also the pregnancy forums selected may have introduced some bias into the study sample and thus the findings may not be truly representative. Conclusion: This research may help introduce new strategies to help promote breastfeeding as a positive experience improving mother’s self-confidence and reducing depressive feelings. More research is required to further explore the links between breastfeeding and maternal self-esteem and self-worth. Being more confident about losing weight may be beneficial in postpartum weight management but this requires further study.