Fear of Childbirth May Lead to Reduced Breastfeeding Duration: Study Reveals - Video

The duration of breastfeeding is shorter than average among mothers with a fear of childbirth-regardless of the mode of delivery, a new study from Finland shows. According to the researchers, the fear of childbirth can also be an indication of a greater need for breastfeeding support. Using data from the Kuopio Birth Cohort study, KuBiCo, the study examined factors related to childbirth that may affect the success and duration of breastfeeding in the child’s first year of life.

The researchers analysed data collected in 2013–2020, which included 2,521 women who had given birth in Kuopio University Hospital. During pregnancy, expectant mothers filled out various questionnaires, and they also responded to a questionnaire about the duration of breastfeeding at the time when their child was one year old. 98% of mothers participating in the study initiated breastfeeding during the first neonatal week, and three out of four mothers continued to breastfeed their child for at least six months. Mothers who had a vaginal delivery without any complications most frequently met the breastfeeding recommendation.

Fear of childbirth may affect the duration of breastfeeding regardless of the mode of delivery

A key finding of the study was the observed association between the fear of childbirth and the duration of breastfeeding.

“In mothers who feared childbirth, the duration of breastfeeding, either exclusively with their milk or with formula, was three times more likely to be shorter than recommended,” says Maija Vasanen, Lic. Med., the first author of the study.

The researchers also found that twin pregnancy, maternal overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking were associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding. Of mothers with twins, 40% breastfed their children for at least six months. Other factors associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding were young maternal age, first-time childbirth, single parenthood, and lower level of education.

Increasing number of mothers are breastfeeding for more than six months

According to the researchers, the study also found a delightfully positive trend in the duration of breastfeeding. The proportion of mothers breastfeeding for more than six months increased from around 71% to 85% between 2013 and 2020. At the same time, the proportion of those breastfeeding for a shorter duration decreased from 27% to 15%.

Reference: Maija Vasanen, Anni Kukkonen, Katri Backman, Sari Hantunen, Leea Keski-Nisula. Fear of Childbirth Impairs Breastfeeding Success Independent of Mode of Birth. Breastfeeding Medicine 2024, published online 2.10.2024. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2024.0024