Testing the buffering hypothesis: Breastfeeding problems, cessation, and social support in the UK
Abigail E Page1, Emily H Emmott2, Sarah Myers2,3
1Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Summary
Breastfeeding problems are common, but social support can help mothers continue breastfeeding. The type of support matters: help with discomfort reduces cessation, while help for perceived milk insufficiency may increase it.
Area of Science:
- Human lactation and infant feeding practices.
- Sociology of health and family studies.
- Public health and maternal-child well-being.
Background:
- Breastfeeding problems often lead to early cessation, particularly in high-income countries like the UK, where inexperience is often cited.
- Cross-cultural data indicate breastfeeding problems are common even in cultures with high, prolonged, and public breastfeeding rates.
- Cooperative child-rearing suggests social support may be crucial for breastfeeding continuation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that social support buffers mothers against the negative effects of breastfeeding problems on breastfeeding duration.
- To investigate the role of different types of social support in mitigating breastfeeding cessation due to specific problems.
Main Methods:
- Cox proportional hazards models were used.
- A sample of 565 UK mothers completed a retrospective online survey in 2017-2018.
- Data collected included infant feeding history and social support received.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding problems were significant predictors of cessation.
- Helpful support for physical discomfort (e.g., blocked ducts) was associated with decreased cessation risk.
- Helpful support for perceived milk insufficiency was paradoxically associated with increased cessation risk.
Conclusions:
- Experiencing breastfeeding problems is typical, but social support can moderate their impact.
- A diverse network of supporters providing various types of assistance can influence the maternal breastfeeding experience.
- Interdisciplinary approaches are valuable for understanding maternal breastfeeding challenges and support systems.
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