Breastfeeding Practices and Postpartum Weight Retention in an Asian Cohort

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is a significant concern for maternal health.
• Understanding factors influencing PPWR is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• Breastfeeding is a modifiable behavior with potential impacts on maternal weight management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between infant feeding practices and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) at 6 and 12 months postpartum.
• To identify specific feeding modes that may mitigate or exacerbate PPWR.
• To explore potential differences in these associations based on pre-pregnancy BMI.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving 379 first-time mothers in Singapore.
• Feeding modes categorized as exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, or exclusive formula feeding at 6 months postpartum.
• Modified Poisson regression models used to assess the risk of substantial PPWR (≥5 kg) at 6 and 12 months, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• At 6 months postpartum, 35% of women experienced substantial PPWR, rising to 31% at 12 months.
• Compared to exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding (RR 1.85) and exclusive formula feeding (RR 2.11) were associated with significantly higher risks of substantial PPWR at 6 months.
• These associations were attenuated by 12 months and were more pronounced in women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity.

Conclusions:

• Breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, by 6 months postpartum may help reduce postpartum weight retention.
• Formula feeding and mixed feeding are associated with an increased risk of substantial PPWR.
• Targeted interventions promoting breastfeeding should be considered for women with overweight or obesity to manage PPWR.