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.