Abstract
This study sought to determine whether and to what extent maternal employment in the early postpartum period is associated with the initiation and continuation of breast-feeding in a heterogeneous, urban population. A panel of women were interviewed twice during the first 3 months postpartum. In analyses adjusted for maternal demographic characteristics, there was no association between planning to be employed within the first 6 months postpartum and initiation of breast-feeding. However, actually being employed was significantly associated with cessation of breast-feeding as early as 2 or 3 months postpartum, even after adjustment for maternal demographic variables. Less than one half of mothers who were employed were still breast-feeding at the second postpartum interview, whereas two thirds of those who were not employed were still breast-feeding. Among employed mothers, working no more than 20 hours per week appeared to be protective for continued breast-feeding.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 298-305 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Pediatrics |
Volume | 87 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1991 |
Keywords
- breast-feeding
- demographic factors
- ethnicity
- lactation
- maternal employment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health