Breastfeeding duration related to practised contraception in the Netherlands

Jacobus P. Van Wouwe, Caren I. Lanting, Paula Van Dommelen, Pieter E. Treffers, Stef Van Buuren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to gain insight into contraception practised and related to breastfeeding duration. Methods: Mothers with infants up to 6 months received a questionnaire on infant feeding (breast or formula feeding) and contraception (hormonal or non-hormonal methods). Estimates of the time interval between resuming contraception and cessation of lactation was calculated by Chained Equations Multiple Imputation. Results: Of all women (n = 2710), 30% choose condoms, 22% the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and few other methods. Breastfeeding was started by 80%, and 18% continued up to 6 months. Of the breastfeeding mothers, 5% used hormonal contraception; 7% of women who used hormonal contraception practised breastfeeding. After adjustment for background variables, the use of OCP is strongly associated with formula feeding: after delivery to the third month postpartum, the crude OR being 17.5 (95% CI: 11.3-27.0), the adjusted OR 14.5 (9.3-22.5); between the third and sixth month postpartum, respectively, 13.1 (95% CI: 8.6-19.9) and 11.7 (7.6-17.9). Of all breastfeeding women, 20-27% resumed OCP at 25 weeks postpartum and 80% introduced formula feeding. The time lag between these events is 6 weeks. Hormonal contraception was resumed after formula introduction. Conclusion: Mothers avoid hormonal contraception during lactation; they change to formula feeding 6 weeks before they resume the OCP. To effectively promote longer duration of breastfeeding, the BFHI needs to address contraception as practised. © 2008 The Author(s).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)86-90
Number of pages5
JournalActa Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Volume98
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2009

Keywords

  • Breastfeeding duration
  • Epidemiology
  • Imputation
  • Lactation
  • Practised contraception
  • levonorgestrel
  • oral contraceptive agent
  • adolescent
  • adult
  • article
  • artificial milk
  • barrier contraception
  • breast feeding
  • condom
  • female
  • hormonal contraception
  • human
  • infant feeding
  • intrauterine contraceptive device
  • lactation
  • lactation inhibition
  • maternal behavior
  • Netherlands
  • ovulation inhibition
  • priority journal
  • puerperium
  • questionnaire

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