The Association Between Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety and Exclusive Breastfeeding Status Early in the Postpartum Period

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life and has significant benefits for both mother and child. Pregnancy-specific anxiety is a distinct and definable syndrome that has been identified as a robust predictor of pregnancy outcomes, but whether it is associated with exclusive breastfeeding status has not been determined. Research aims: To examine the association between pregnancy-specific anxiety in each trimester of pregnancy and exclusive breastfeeding status early in the postpartum period. Methods: Data were available from 412 women who participated in a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study. Pregnancy-specific anxiety and exclusive breastfeeding status were assessed using an online self-report questionnaire. Results: Logistic regression analyses showed that a one-unit increase in pregnancy-specific anxiety in the first (OR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.90, 0.98]) and third (OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.91, 0.99]) trimester of pregnancy was associated with a 5-6% decrease in the odds of exclusive breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks postpartum. Conclusions: Pregnancy-specific anxiety was associated with lower odds of exclusive breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks postpartum. Prenatal interventions designed to increase exclusive breastfeeding duration may benefit from the incorporation of strategies that help reduce worries and concerns unique to the pregnancy experience.