title: Maternity leave duration and full-time/part-time work status are associated with US mothers' ability to meet breastfeeding intentions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for infants and mothers; however, many infants are not breastfed as long as recommended or desired by mothers. Maternal employment is frequently cited as a barrier to breastfeeding.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess whether maternity leave duration and return status (full-time [FT], part-time [PT]) were associated with not meeting a mother's intention to breastfeed at least 3 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a cohort study. Analyses were limited to women employed prenatally who intended to breastfeed 3 months or longer (n = 1172). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between maternity leave duration and return-to-work status (< 6 weeks/FT, < 6 weeks/PT, 6 weeks-3 months/FT, 6 weeks-3 months/PT, not working by 3 months) and meeting a mother's intention to breastfeed at least 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 28.8% of mothers did not meet their intention to breastfeed at least 3 months. Odds of not meeting intention to breastfeed at least 3 months were higher among mothers who returned to work FT before 3 months (< 6 weeks/FT: adjusted odds ratio = 2.25, 95% confidence interval, 1.23-4.12; 6 weeks-3 months/FT: adjusted odds ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.56), compared with mothers not working at 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Returning to work full-time before 3 months may reduce a mother's ability to meet her intention to breastfeed at least 3 months. Employer support for flexible work scheduling may help more women achieve their breastfeeding goals.
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA xdj1@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Kelsey R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Mirkovic
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Cria G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Perrine
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kelley S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Scanlon
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Laurence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Grummer-Strawn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D016524:Parental Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014931:Women, Working; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
keywords: breastfeeding; breastfeeding intentions; employment; maternity leave; work status