Breastfeeding-injury link: are concerns warranted?

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Women's Health
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Athletes often avoid breastfeeding postpartum due to perceived injury risks.
• Empirical data on breastfeeding and postpartum musculoskeletal injury are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and physical activity.
• To examine the impact on musculoskeletal injury risk in the postpartum period.

Main Methods:

• Online questionnaire survey of 590 individuals (≥18 years) active postpartum.
• Data collected on demographics, reproductive history, health, breastfeeding, physical activity, and musculoskeletal complaints.

Main Results:

• 22% of participants reported postpartum musculoskeletal injury.
• No significant difference in injury rates between exclusive breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding groups.
• History of eating disorders (OR 2.76) and reduced physical activity (OR 1.89) increased injury risk.

Conclusions:

• Breastfeeding is not associated with increased postpartum musculoskeletal injury risk.
• Maintaining preconception physical activity levels during pregnancy may mitigate postpartum injury risk.