Abstract

Objectives: To conduct a secondary data analysis of how changes in smoking and drinking during pregnancy impact status of any breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration in a national cohort.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data between 2009 and 2017 (n = 334,203). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on the status of any breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration. 

Results: A dose-dependent inverse relationship was found in which women who smoked the same or more or resumed smoking during pregnancy showed the lowest likelihood and shortest duration of breastfeeding, followed by reduced smokers, quitters, and nonsmokers. Women with a history of alcohol use were significantly more likely to breastfeed compared with women without a history of alcohol use. 

Conclusions: The profile of smoking change during pregnancy impacts the likelihood and duration of breastfeeding in a dose-dependent and inverse manner. No such relationship was found with drinking change during pregnancy. 

Public Health Implications: Significant public health efforts should focus on implementing and sustaining evidence-based interventions for prenatal smoking cessation and educating providers and maternal populations on the adverse effect of postpartum alcohol exposure.