A preliminary study of breast-feeding and maternal symptomatology.
The association between breast-feeding status and maternal health is examined. A survey questionnaire was presented via the World Wide Web. Self-reports of 168 breast-feeding and 65 weaned mothers between 4 and 208 weeks postpartum were compared for physician visits, symptomatology, and Perceived Stress Scale scores in the last month. Breast-feeding was associated with fewer physician visits and symptoms and less perceived stress. Moreover, the longer a woman breast-fed before she weaned, the fewer the symptoms and less stress she reported. Breast-feeding is associated with better maternal health both during the breast-feeding period and after weaning. Further research on the effects on maternal health of breast-feeding is indicated. Future prospective longitudinal investigations should address the possible inhibition of lactation by stress and physiological mechanisms that may link breast-feeding and weaning with maternal health.
Mezzacappa
E S
ES
Columbia University, USA.
Guethlein
W
W
Vaz
N
N
Bagiella
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada; D002489:Central America; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005060:Europe; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020407:Internet; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009520:New Zealand; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013019:South Africa; D013020:South America; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States; D014886:Weaning