Effect of Obesity and Early Breastfeeding Initiation on Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates
Pawin Puapornpong MD*, Kasem Raungrongmorakot MD*, Wichian Manolerdtewan MD*, Maysita Suksamarnwong MD*, Sinutchanan Wongin RN**
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand ** Obstetrics and Gynecology nursing department, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
Objective : To compare the 6-week postpartum, exclusive breastfeeding rates between obese mothers and mothers with a
normal body mass index (BMI), with early breastfeeding initiation.
Material and Method: The subjects were 415 singleton, postpartum, obese mothers who delivered without complications at
the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center in the Nakhon Nayok province between the years of 2013 through
2015 and the same number of matched normal body mass index mothers. The early breastfeeding initiation of both the obese
mothers and the normal BMI mothers was recorded. The exclusive breastfeeding rates were collected at the second day
postpartum. Following discharge, telephone follow-ups were used for the collection of breastfeeding data at the 7th, 14th day
and six weeks postpartum. The exclusive breastfeeding rates of the obese mothers were analyzed and compared with the
exclusive breastfeeding rates of normal BMI mothers at the 2nd, 7th, 14th day and 6 weeks postpartum. The data was analyzed
by Chi-square, relative risk and 95% confidence interval.
Results : At the 2nd, 7th, 14th day and 6th week postpartum; the exclusive breastfeeding rates of the obese mothers’ group were
94.5, 71.1, 64.8 and 51.3%, respectively. The exclusive breastfeeding rates of the normal BMI mothers’ group for the same
periods were 95.7, 79.3, 75.4 and 63.1%, respectively. There are statistically significant differences between the exclusive
breastfeeding rates of the obese mothers’ group and the normal BMI groups at the 7th day, 14th day and 6th week postpartum.
In the situation of early breastfeeding initiation, the exclusive breastfeeding rates of the obese mothers at the 2nd, 7th, 14th day
and 6th week postpartum were 96.3, 77.0, 71.2 and 58.4%, respectively. The exclusive breastfeeding rates of the normal BMI
mothers who had early breastfeeding initiation were 96.2, 81.3, 77.4 and 67.2% at the 2nd, 7th, 14th day and 6th week
postpartum, respectively. No significant differences were seen between the two groups in the exclusive breastfeeding rates at
the 2nd, 7th and 14th day postpartum.
Conclusion : The obesity had negative effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates during six weeks postpartum after mothers’
discharge. But the exclusive breastfeeding rates of both the obese and normal BMI mothers were not significantly different
during two weeks postpartum in early breastfeeding initiation situation. The obese mothers could be advised about early
breastfeeding initiation.
Keywords : Obese mothers, Exclusive breastfeeding, Early breastfeeding initiation
