The length of breastfeeding tends to be below the average for mothers who experience fear regarding childbirth, irrespective of how they delivered their babies, according to a recent study conducted in Finland.
The length of breastfeeding tends to be below the average for mothers who experience fear regarding childbirth, irrespective of how they delivered their babies, according to a recent study conducted in Finland. The researchers suggest that this fear might indicate a greater need for support around breastfeeding. Utilizing data from the Kuopio Birth Cohort study, known as KuBiCo, the study explored various childbirth-related factors that could influence the success and duration of breastfeeding during a child’s first year.
The research analyzed data gathered between 2013 and 2020, which involved 2,521 women who had given birth at Kuopio University Hospital. During their pregnancies, these mothers completed several questionnaires and provided details about the length of breastfeeding when their child reached one year old.
In Finland, it is recommended that women breastfeed for at least six months, with 4–6 months of that being exclusive breastfeeding. An impressive 98% of mothers in the study started breastfeeding in the first week after childbirth, and about three-quarters continued for at least six months. Those who had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery most often met the breastfeeding guidelines.
Fear of childbirth may impact breastfeeding duration, regardless of delivery method
A significant finding from the study was the link between childbirth fear and the length of breastfeeding.
“Mothers who feared childbirth were three times more likely to have a shorter breastfeeding duration, either exclusively with their own milk or with formula,” explains Maija Vasanen, Lic.Med., the primary author of the study.
This marks the first time researchers have linked childbirth fear to breastfeeding success. The fear had a notable association with breastfeeding duration, regardless of whether the delivery was a spontaneous vaginal birth, an elective or emergency caesarean, or a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.
Additionally, the researchers identified that factors such as twin pregnancies, maternal overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking correlated with shorter breastfeeding periods. Among mothers of twins, 40% managed to breastfeed for at least six months. Other influences that led to reduced breastfeeding durations included younger maternal age, first-time motherhood, being a single parent, and lower educational attainment.
More mothers are breastfeeding for longer than six months
The study also uncovered an encouraging trend regarding breastfeeding duration. The percentage of mothers nursing for over six months rose from about 71% to 85% between the years 2013 and 2020, while those breastfeeding for less time dropped from 27% to 15%.
“The increase in breastfeeding duration might be attributed to a growing awareness of its benefits and effective breastfeeding support. It is essential to provide specialized assistance for mothers facing specific challenges, including those with childbirth fears, twin pregnancies, or smoking habits. Moving forward, healthcare professionals should offer targeted breastfeeding guidance for mothers dealing with fears of childbirth and other groups that might find it hard to initiate breastfeeding,” states Professor Leea Keski-Nisula, the lead author of the study.
The Kuopio Birth Cohort study, KuBiCo, is a collaboration between Kuopio University Hospital, the University of Eastern Finland, and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
