Maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding
Karina Abibi Rimes1, Maria Inês Couto de Oliveira2, Cristiano Siqueira Boccolini3
1Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Saúde Coletiva. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
Revista De Saude Publica
|February 7, 2019
Summary
Maternity leave significantly increases the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months. This benefit is crucial for working mothers, supporting infant nutrition and maternal well-being.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is critical for infant health, providing essential nutrients and immunological protection.
- The formal labor market presents challenges for mothers aiming to exclusively breastfeed their infants.
- Understanding factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding is vital for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding rates.
- To determine the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- To identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in a primary healthcare setting.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 429 mothers of infants under six months in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Data collection included maternal sociodemographic, household, prenatal, childbirth, lifestyle, child, healthcare, and infant feeding characteristics.
- Adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) were calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance, employing a hierarchical approach.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 50.1% among the study participants.
- Mothers on maternity leave showed a significantly higher prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (APR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.32-2.78) compared to those working without leave.
- Maternity leave was positively associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
- Maternity leave is a significant protective factor for exclusive breastfeeding among women in the formal labor market.
- Policies supporting maternity leave are essential for promoting and sustaining exclusive breastfeeding practices.
- The findings underscore the importance of social and economic support systems for breastfeeding mothers.
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