(282) Association between social support and breastfeeding initiation

Social support (SS) has been shown to influence parents’ decision to breastfeed. Lack of support from one’s social network can serve as a barrier in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. This study evaluated the association between prenatal SS and breastfeeding at discharge after childbirth. 

Study Design:

This is a secondary analysis of the multi-site Measurement of Maternal Stress (MOMS) study, a geographically, economically, and racially-diverse sample of 744 pregnant individuals in the U.S. Participants completed the Social Support Questionnaire between 12w0d-20w6d gestation. Responses were scored into an overall index and categorized into low, moderate, and high social support. Infant feeding method at discharge (after childbirth) was abstracted from medical records and categorized as any breastmilk or only formula feeding any time post-delivery. Logistic regressions tested the associations between SS and breastfeeding. Covariates included maternal education, pre-pregnancy smoking, and study site. Missing data were imputed using Hot Deck imputation. Statistical analyses were conducted using StataBE Version 17. 

Results:

Of the 677 eligible participants, respondents who initiated breastfeeding were primarily non-smoking prior to the index pregnancy (95%), and had post-secondary education (74%). 83% (n=565) reported high SS, 15% moderate SS, and 2% low SS. Compared to those with high SS, participants reporting low and moderate SS had significantly reduced odds of breastfeeding at discharge in bivariate models (OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.09-0.89, p=.018; OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.33-0.84, p=0.008). This relationship remained statistically significant for those reporting low SS in the fully adjusted model (OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.08-0.91, p=.036). 

Conclusion:

Respondents reporting low SS had significantly reduced odds of breastfeeding at discharge. These results highlight the importance of addressing prenatal SS for birthing parents in their formal and informal networks.