Body Shape and Weight Loss as Motivators for Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation

Abstract

Breastfeeding rates in the UK are low. Efforts to promote breastfeeding typically include the known health benefits for mother and child, many of which are not immediate. Gaining immediate benefits can be effective motivators of behaviour. Body-related changes resulting from breastfeeding could be an immediate benefit. This study explored breastfeeding mothers’ reports of body-related changes as benefits of breastfeeding. Mothers (N = 182) who currently, or had recently, breastfed an infant completed a survey detailing their infant feeding choices and the perceived benefits of breastfeeding on their bodies. Half of the mothers felt that breastfeeding had a positive effect on their body. Benefits were grouped into five themes: (1) Returning to pre-pregnancy body shape; (2) Health benefits; (3) Physical benefits; (4) Eating benefits; (5) Psychological benefits. These themes highlight the numerous body-related benefits that mothers identified as resulting from breastfeeding and suggest that immediate, personal, and appearance-related gains of breastfeeding are highly valued. These findings indicate that interventions would likely benefit from emphasising the more immediate physical and psychological benefits of breastfeeding, alongside the health and bonding benefits, as a way to promote breastfeeding initiation and continuation in more women. This may be particularly effective for groups such as young mothers, where breastfeeding rates are low and whose emphasis on body image may be greater.

How is parental education associated with infant and young child feeding in Bangladesh? A systematic literature review

“…For example, increasing self-e cacy through self-a rmation intervention to the lactating mothers was found to be a modi able positive predictor of the duration of breastfeeding (34), level of prolactin (35), and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice (36). Moreover, the association of threatened self-body image, like distortion of shape of gure and weight gain was found both positive (37)(38)(39)(40) and negative (41)(42)(43)(44) association with poor breastfeeding practices in the contemporary literatures.…”

The Importance of Data in an Exclusive Human Milk Diet: Key Concepts and Points of Consideration

“…Breastfeeding has been associated with decreased risk of type II diabetes, more rapid return to prepartum weight, decreased cardiovascular disease, modulation of hypertension, and reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. (19,20) A reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer has been demonstrated in those women who have breastfed. Even autoimmune disease processes may be mediated by breastfeeding.…”

A influência da imagem corporal da grávida na sua decisão em amamentar: uma revisão sistemática da literatura

“…It is not surprising that women considering how to feed their babies also contemplate the potential impact on their bodies, body image, and personal well-being (Güney & Uçar, 2018;Schalla et al, 2017).…”