Breastfeeding Continuation at One Month Postpartum Among Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Who Initiated Breastfeeding: Prevalence and Determinants.

Abstract

Objective: To describe breastfeeding behaviors and determinants in the 1-month postdelivery period among women in treatment for opioid use disorder.

Study design: Participants completed one questionnaire during pregnancy and one questionnaire at 1 month postpartum. Those who reported on the postpartum questionnaire that they had initiated breastfeeding were included in this analysis (N = 31). Infant feeding practices, receipt of lactation support, and demographic, psychosocial, and infant birth characteristics were compared between those who breastfed for at least 1 month and those who did not.

Results: In all, 45% of the participants were breastfeeding at 1 month post delivery. Among those who discontinued breastfeeding by 1 month post delivery, two-thirds reported that they had not breastfed for as long as they wanted. Breastfeeding continuation at 1 month was more common in participants who expressed prenatal breastfeeding intention, had shorter infant hospital length of stays, received lactation materials/support, and reported lower stress and depressive symptoms. Among those who stopped breastfeeding at 1 month, perception of low breast milk supply was the most frequently cited reason.

Conclusions: Lactation support programs are needed to help women with opioid use disorder meet their infant feeding goals. Such programs may want to consider simultaneously addressing maternal psychosocial factors.