The effect of alcohol intake on breastfeeding duration in Australian women.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the relationships between alcohol consumption and breastfeeding initiation and duration.


METHODS



METHODS
A 12-month longitudinal study was conducted in two public hospitals in Perth, Australia between September 2002 and July 2003.


METHODS
Participating mothers completed a self-administered baseline questionnaire. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted at 4, 10, 16, 22, 32, 40 and 52 weeks.


METHODS
Association of the relationships between alcohol consumption and breastfeeding initiation and duration.


RESULTS
After 6 months of follow-up, women who consumed alcohol at levels of more than two standard drinks per day were almost twice as likely to discontinue breastfeeding than women who drank below these levels (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Consuming alcohol in excess of two standard drinks per day during lactation was found to be independently associated with shorter breastfeeding duration, even after consideration of previously identified predictors of breastfeeding duration. Guidelines that provide direction on safe alcohol consumption for lactating mothers may help support extended breastfeeding duration.
Giglia
Roslyn C
RC
Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia. R.Giglia@exchange.curtin.edu.au
Binns
Colin W
CW
Alfonso
Helman S
HS
Scott
Jane A
JA
Oddy
Wendy H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors