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Updated: Sep 25, 2026

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Maternal asthma is associated with poor breastfeeding outcomes in early postpartum
Megan E Jensen1, Bronwyn K Brew1, Jason Dizon2
1School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Background:
In infants born to mothers with asthma, breastfeeding may lower the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes; however, breastfeeding rates are low among this group.
Objective:
To evaluate early breastfeeding outcomes in relation to maternal asthma and determine whether observed associations were mediated by perinatal factors or varied by maternal comorbidities.
Methods:
Data on singleton births were obtained from electronic obstetric records from three local health districts in New South Wales, Australia (2018-2020). Associations between asthma and breastfeeding outcomes were assessed using robust Poisson models fitted within a generalised estimating equation framework. Perinatal factors were sequentially included in models to explore potential mediation of asthma-breastfeeding associations. Interaction between asthma and comorbidities on breastfeeding outcomes was also tested in models.
Results:
Among 40,151 births, 4412 (11%) were to women with asthma. Asthma was associated with slightly reduced breastfeeding initiation (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96, 0.99); exclusive breastmilk feeding at birth (aRR=0.98; 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99) and postpartum follow-up (aRR=0.97; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99); and increased risk of breastfeeding issues (aRR=1.07; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.11). Potential mediators (caesarean birth, preterm birth, low birthweight, neonatal hospitalisation) did not alter associations by >10% for breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding issues or exclusive breastmilk postpartum. No interaction effects were observed between asthma and maternal comorbidities (body mass index, mental health diagnosis, diabetes) on breastfeeding outcomes.
Conclusions:
Maternal asthma was negatively associated with breastfeeding outcomes in the immediate postpartum period; associations were not explained by perinatal factors or comorbidities. Findings highlight the need for early breastfeeding support for women with asthma.
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