CLEVELAND, Ohio — A recent study from Ohio University reveals that women with high blood pressure before pregnancy are less likely to breastfeed for at least three months. These women often stop breastfeeding earlier than those without the condition.
The research examined data from over 127,000 women in the U.S. collected between 2016 and 2022. It specifically looked at how pre-existing high blood pressure influences breastfeeding practices. About 66% of women with pre-pregnancy hypertension managed to breastfeed for three months or longer. In contrast, that number rose to nearly 72% for women without high blood pressure. Overall, around 71% of women in the study breastfed for at least three months.
Even after considering other factors that can impact breastfeeding, the trend was clear: women with high blood pressure before pregnancy breastfed less often and for shorter periods than those without. The study focused solely on women who had high blood pressure before pregnancy, excluding those who developed it later.
Past studies have linked high blood pressure during pregnancy to breastfeeding challenges. However, this study is one of the first to focus on women who had high blood pressure before conceiving. “Our findings suggest that health conditions before pregnancy can significantly affect breastfeeding success,” said Zelalem T. Haile, an epidemiology professor at Ohio University and co-author of the study. He emphasizes the need to identify and manage high blood pressure before pregnancy to improve overall health outcomes.
Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits, such as better immune protection for infants and a lower risk of chronic diseases for mothers. This research underscores the need for better preconception care, which focuses on improving health before pregnancy begins. By addressing high blood pressure early on, healthcare providers may support women in breastfeeding longer, benefiting both mothers and their babies.
Dr. Haile’s insights align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. This study provides valuable evidence to reinforce the necessity for improved healthcare access and management for women of childbearing age.
For more on breastfeeding benefits and healthcare guidance, you can check resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
