Res Community Public Health Nurs.  2023 Mar;34(1):52-60. 10.12799/rcphn.2022.00332.

Gestational diabetes and breastfeeding-related pain as major contributors to early breastfeeding cessation

• Min D
• Kwak EJ
• Park SM

• KMID: 2551093
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2022.00332

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to determine the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus, breastfeeding-related pain, and infant growth on the cessation of breastfeeding. Methods: This is secondary data analysis. This study included 60 pregnant women from 3 prenatal breastfeeding clinics. Pregnant women aged 20–49 years, with or without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus were enrolled. The participants were administered four self-reported questionnaires, one at 5 days, 14 days, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. A linear mixed model and Cox regression analysis were used. Data were collected between May 25, 2020 and June 14, 2021. Results: The rate of breastfeeding cessation was 55.0% (n=33). The average maternal ages were 32.30 (±4.61) and 31.33 (±7.05) years in the cessation and maintenance groups, respectively. The average duration of breastfeeding in the cessation group was 56.27 (±37.48) days. After adjusting for all covariates, the risk of breastfeeding cessation was 2.5 times greater among participants diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (p=.042). Additionally, the risk of breastfeeding cessation was 1.3 times greater among those with severe breastfeeding-related pain (p=.015). Conclusion: The first two months postpartum is the most essential time for healthcare workers to provide support and address difficulties associated with breastfeeding for mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Keyword

breast feeding; diabetes, gestational; pain; pregnancy