Early Postpartum Patterns of Breastfeeding Exclusivity and Perceived Insufficient Milk by Prepregnancy Body Mass Index.

OBJECTIVE: To explore trajectories of breastfeeding exclusivity and perceived insufficient milk (PIM) over the first 8 weeks postpartum among primiparous women and the association of these trajectories with prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Recruitment for the primary study was conducted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-two primiparous women with intention to exclusively breastfeed. METHODS: We used group-based trajectory modeling to classify participants into breastfeeding exclusivity and PIM trajectory groups. We used logistic regression to explore the predictive relationship between prepregnancy BMI and breastfeeding exclusivity and PIM trajectory group memberships. RESULTS: We identified two trajectories each for breastfeeding exclusivity and PIM over the first 8 weeks postpartum. For breastfeeding exclusivity, one group (n = 60, 49%) had low initial probability of exclusive breastfeeding with linear decline in likelihood of exclusivity over time. The other group (n = 62, 51%) had greater initial probability of exclusive breastfeeding, which remained constant over time. For PIM, one group (n = 41, 34%) had consistently greater probability of endorsing PIM at each time point, whereas the other group (n = 81, 66%) had consistently low probability of endorsing PIM over time. Prepregnancy BMI did not predict group membership in breastfeeding exclusivity, χ2(1) = 2.8, p = .094, or PIM, χ2(1) = 0.72, p = .397. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding exclusivity and PIM appeared to be relatively stable phenomena in the postpartum period among a sample of predominately White primiparous women who intended to breastfeed. We did not find a clear association with prepregnancy BMI.

She "didn't see my weight; she saw me, a mom who needed help breastfeeding": Perceptions of perinatal weight stigma and its relationship with breastfeeding experiences.

Weight stigmatization is related to emotional and psychological distress including low self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety; all linked with suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. This qualitative descriptive study explored postpartum individuals' recalled experiences of weight stigma during interactions with perinatal healthcare professionals and its perceived influence on their breastfeeding experiences. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with (n= 18) participants. Three themes emerged: (1) "Size Doesn't Matter: They Looked Beyond the Scale," (2) "My Self-Confidence and Desire to Breastfeed is More Important than Weight," and (3) "I Was on My Own"-Limited Social Support not Weight Stigma Influenced Breastfeeding.

The Relationship Between Internalized Weight Stigma During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between internalized weight stigma during pregnancy and breastfeeding outcomes at 1 month post partum among individuals with prepregnancy overweight or obesity. Secondarily, the study explored the temporal stability of internalized weight stigma from the third trimester to 1 month post partum via the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS). METHODS: A total of 103 pregnant individuals with overweight or obesity were recruited for this study. Participants completed the WBIS during the third trimester and self-reported breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and exclusivity outcomes at 1 month post partum. A paired t test and binomial logistic regression were conducted with covariates hierarchically added to the model. RESULTS: The average prepregnancy BMI was 33.53 (SD 7.17) kg/m2 (range = 25.4-62), and average prenatal WBIS scores were 25.95 (SD 11.83). No difference was found in mean prenatal and postpartum scores (25.95 [SD 11.83]; 26.86 [SD 13.03], respectively; t94 = -0.83, P = 0.41), evidencing temporal stability in WBIS scores from pre to post partum. Prenatal WBIS scores did not predict breastfeeding initiation, continuation, or exclusivity at 1 month post partum in either unadjusted or adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, this sample displayed low weight bias internalization, which was not predictive of breastfeeding initiation, continuation, or exclusivity at 1 month post partum. Future research is needed to develop a pregnancy-specific weight stigma measure.

Communication practices of healthcare professionals when caring for overweight/obese pregnant women: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize existing research on communication practices between healthcare professionals and overweight and obese pregnant women. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidance on conducting scoping reviews, we included original research addressing communication/counseling practices of healthcare professionals with overweight and/or obese pregnant women, published between 2008-2018, and available in English. Fourteen articles are included in this review. RESULTS: Study findings were organized into three themes: (a) topics addressed during encounters, (b) providers' comfort/confidence, knowledge and methods in communicating with overweight/obese pregnant women, and (c) overweight/obese pregnant women's experiences in communicating with healthcare providers. The most prevalent topics addressed were gestational weight gain, physical activity, and nutrition. Healthcare professionals experience discomfort and are reluctant to address weight status with overweight/obese pregnant patients, use vague statements about weight gain and weight-related obstetric risks, and report low confidence when counseling obese pregnant women. Overweight/obese pregnant women perceive weight stigma when interacting with providers. CONCLUSION: Weight-related counseling in obstetric care is suboptimal. Providers may benefit from training to more confidently and effectively counsel overweight and obese pregnant women about gestational weight gain, physical activity, and nutrition. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patients perceive weight stigma in the obstetric setting, which may be prevented by effective, patient-centered communication.

Weight Stigma Related to Pregnancy: A Concept Analysis.

The aims of this article are to (1) present a shared definition of weight stigma related to pregnancy and (2) develop a definition to inform valid and reliable nursing research addressing weight stigma in the obstetric setting. Weight stigma is increasingly prevalent in society, especially among women with prepregnancy overweight or obesity. However, a universally accepted definition of weight stigma related to pregnancy has yet to be identified. We followed Walker and Avant's concept analysis methodology using an iterative approach to ensure a robust and conceptually sound definition of weight stigma related to pregnancy.

Integrative Review of Breastfeeding Support and Related Practices in Child Care Centers.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the extant research on the support of breastfeeding and breast milk feeding and related practices in child care centers (i.e., daycare centers) in the United States and globally. DATA SOURCES: We used key terms to search Ovid, CINAHL, and PubMed for articles that met eligibility criteria. When potentially relevant articles were identified in PubMed, we used the cited by and similar articles features to identify additional articles. We also examined the reference lists of reviewed studies. STUDY SELECTION: We included original research articles on breastfeeding or breast milk feeding in child care centers published in 2000 or after and available in English. We reviewed titles and/or abstracts of 1,984 articles and abstracted 37 for full-text review. Of these, 16 studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the review. DATA EXTRACTION: We abstracted data from the 16 articles to facilitate comparison and identification of patterns related to support of breastfeeding/breast milk feeding and related practices in child care centers. These data included year of publication, setting, design/methodology (and methodologic limitations), type of respondent/sampling unit (e.g., directors and staff members of child care centers, mothers), sample size, outcome measures, and pertinent study findings. DATA SYNTHESIS: We categorized study findings into three themes: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Staff Members in Child Care Centers; Implementation and Adherence to Policies, Practices, and Regulations in Child Care Centers; and Prevalence of Breastfeeding in Child Care Centers. Findings indicated staff members generally had positive attitudes toward breastfeeding but tended to remain neutral regarding encouragement and support of breastfeeding. Training and knowledge about breastfeeding among staff members in child care centers appears limited and focused mainly on the storage and preparation of breast milk; however, staff members indicated the desire to obtain additional education about breastfeeding. Few U.S. child care centers or states have comprehensive, evidence-based policies and regulations to address support for breast milk feeding and breastfeeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding in U.S. child care centers is less than that in other child care settings (home-based child care, etc.), child care centers in other developed countries, and national breastfeeding averages. CONCLUSION: We found a general lack of policies and practices to support breastfeeding in child care centers, particularly in the United States. The degree to which this policy/practice deficit contributes to suboptimal breastfeeding rates among women who use child care centers requires further study.