Effect of breast-feeding on weight retention at 3 and 6 months postpartum: data from the North Carolina WIC Programme.
OBJECTIVE
Pregnancy-related weight retention can contribute to obesity, and breast-feeding may facilitate postpartum weight loss. We investigated the effect of breast-feeding on postpartum weight retention.


METHODS
A retrospective follow-up study of weight retention, compared in women who were fully breast-feeding, combining breast-feeding with formula-feeding (mixed feeding), or formula-feeding at 3 months (n 14 330) or 6 months (n 4922) postpartum, controlling for demographic and weight-related covariates using multiple linear regression.


METHODS
The North Carolina Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).


METHODS
Participants in the North Carolina WIC Programme who delivered a baby between 1996 and 2004.


RESULTS
In covariate-adjusted analyses, there was no association between breast-feeding and weight retention at 3 months postpartum. At 6 months postpartum, as compared to formula-feeders, mean weight retention was 0·84 kg lower in mixed feeders (95 % CI 0·39, 1·29; P = 0·0002) and 1·38 kg lower in full breast-feeders (95 % CI 0·89, 1·87; P ≤ 0·0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Breast-feeding was inversely associated with weight retention at 6 months postpartum in this large, racially diverse sample of low-income women. Further, full breast-feeding had a larger protective effect than did breast-feeding combined with formula-feeding.
Krause
Katrina M
KM
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, PO Box 104006, Durham, NC 27710, USA. katrina.krause@duke.edu
Lovelady
Cheryl A
CA
Peterson
Bercedis L
BL
Chowdhury
Najmul
N
Østbye
Truls
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011632:Public Assistance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult