Leandro Cordero1, Reena Oza-Frank1,2, Mark B Landon3, Craig A Nankervis1. 1. 1 Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio. 2. 2 Center for Perinatal Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital , Columbus, Ohio. 3. 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Women who are overweight or obese are at risk for maternal and neonatal medical complications, including macrosomia (birth weight ≥4,000 g), that may contribute to breastfeeding initiation failure. This study examined factors associated with breastfeeding initiation among obese women without diabetes who delivered macrosomic infants. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted from 2008 to 2011. Based on prepregnancy body mass index (in kg/m(2)), women were classified as normal (18-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), obese (30-34.9), very obese (35-39.9), and extremely obese (≥40). Intention to breastfeed was ascertained prenatally, and breastfeeding initiation was defined if at discharge ≥50% of the infant feedings were breastmilk. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of the population was overweight, 23% obese, 14% very obese, and 12% extremely obese. Intention to breastfeed was similar among normal-weight, overweight, obese, and very obese women but was significantly lower for those who were extremely obese (p<0.05). Breastfeeding initiation was 75% for normal-weight, 72% for overweight, 71% for obese, 66% for very obese, and 53% for extremely obese women (p<0.05). Among women who intended to breastfeed, breastfeeding initiation was uniformly high: 94% for normal-weight, 93% for overweight, 95% for obese, 92% for very obese, and 87% for extremely obese women. CONCLUSIONS: Intention to breastfeed as well as breastfeeding initiation was significantly lower for extremely obese women. Lack of intention to breastfeed declared during the antepartum period by extremely obese women highlights a need as well as an opportunity for intervention.
BACKGROUND:Women who are overweight or obese are at risk for maternal and neonatal medical complications, including macrosomia (birth weight ≥4,000 g), that may contribute to breastfeeding initiation failure. This study examined factors associated with breastfeeding initiation among obesewomen without diabetes who delivered macrosomic infants. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted from 2008 to 2011. Based on prepregnancy body mass index (in kg/m(2)), women were classified as normal (18-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), obese (30-34.9), very obese (35-39.9), and extremely obese (≥40). Intention to breastfeed was ascertained prenatally, and breastfeeding initiation was defined if at discharge ≥50% of the infant feedings were breastmilk. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of the population was overweight, 23% obese, 14% very obese, and 12% extremely obese. Intention to breastfeed was similar among normal-weight, overweight, obese, and very obesewomen but was significantly lower for those who were extremely obese (p<0.05). Breastfeeding initiation was 75% for normal-weight, 72% for overweight, 71% for obese, 66% for very obese, and 53% for extremely obesewomen (p<0.05). Among women who intended to breastfeed, breastfeeding initiation was uniformly high: 94% for normal-weight, 93% for overweight, 95% for obese, 92% for very obese, and 87% for extremely obesewomen. CONCLUSIONS: Intention to breastfeed as well as breastfeeding initiation was significantly lower for extremely obesewomen. Lack of intention to breastfeed declared during the antepartum period by extremely obesewomen highlights a need as well as an opportunity for intervention.