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High breastfeeding continuation at two months after birth in women receiving home-based postnatal midwifery care and factors associated with breastfeeding cessation – a prospective cohort study

Åsman, Eva LU ; Rubertsson, Christine LU ; Mangrio, Elisabeth LU and Häggsgård, Cecilia LU (2026) In European Journal of Midwifery 10(April).
Abstract
Introduction:
Exclusive breastfeeding (EB) is globally recommended due to health benefits for women and their infants. Home-based postnatal midwifery care (HBPMC) is a model of care where midwives give in-home care during the first postnatal week. The study objectives were to investigate breastfeeding outcomes at two months after birth, in women and newborns receiving HBPMC, and to identify risk factors and describe women’s reported reasons associated with EB cessation.

Methods:
A prospective cohort study including 219 women in Sweden, conducted between November 2023 and March 2024. Background and breastfeeding variables were collected from medical records. Telephone interviews two months after birth contained open-ended... (More)
Introduction:
Exclusive breastfeeding (EB) is globally recommended due to health benefits for women and their infants. Home-based postnatal midwifery care (HBPMC) is a model of care where midwives give in-home care during the first postnatal week. The study objectives were to investigate breastfeeding outcomes at two months after birth, in women and newborns receiving HBPMC, and to identify risk factors and describe women’s reported reasons associated with EB cessation.

Methods:
A prospective cohort study including 219 women in Sweden, conducted between November 2023 and March 2024. Background and breastfeeding variables were collected from medical records. Telephone interviews two months after birth contained open-ended questions about breastfeeding duration and reasons for EB cessation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:
In total, 211 women (96%) completed the follow-up. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 86% at discharge from HBPMC, and 84% at two months after birth. Factors associated with EB cessation included early formula supplementation (AOR=5.89; 95% CI: 2.31–15.02), a pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 (AOR=3.55; 95% CI: 1.27–9.94), and being born in another country (AOR=2.39; 95% CI: 1.01–5.67). The most frequently reported reasons for EB cessation were perceived breastfeeding barriers and insufficient milk supply.


Conclusions:
A high continuation of exclusive breastfeeding was reported at two months after receiving HBPMC, suggesting that in-home breastfeeding support during the first week after birth may play an important role. Future interventions with in-home breastfeeding support targeting women with identified risk factors may further improve breastfeeding duration. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European Journal of Midwifery
volume
10
issue
April
publisher
European Publishing
external identifiers
  • pmid:42145792
  • scopus:105038926587
ISSN
2585-2906
DOI
10.18332/ejm/219215
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
fcceebde-12fb-4a6d-8a4d-a472da1662fd
alternative location
https://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/High-breastfeeding-continuation-at-two-months-after-birth-in-women-receiving-home,219215,0,2.html
date added to LUP
2026-05-20 13:57:31
date last changed
2026-06-17 04:00:55
@article{fcceebde-12fb-4a6d-8a4d-a472da1662fd,
  abstract     = {{Introduction:<br/>Exclusive breastfeeding (EB) is globally recommended due to health benefits for women and their infants. Home-based postnatal midwifery care (HBPMC) is a model of care where midwives give in-home care during the first postnatal week. The study objectives were to investigate breastfeeding outcomes at two months after birth, in women and newborns receiving HBPMC, and to identify risk factors and describe women’s reported reasons associated with EB cessation.<br/><br/>Methods:<br/>A prospective cohort study including 219 women in Sweden, conducted between November 2023 and March 2024. Background and breastfeeding variables were collected from medical records. Telephone interviews two months after birth contained open-ended questions about breastfeeding duration and reasons for EB cessation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).<br/><br/>Results:<br/>In total, 211 women (96%) completed the follow-up. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 86% at discharge from HBPMC, and 84% at two months after birth. Factors associated with EB cessation included early formula supplementation (AOR=5.89; 95% CI: 2.31–15.02), a pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 (AOR=3.55; 95% CI: 1.27–9.94), and being born in another country (AOR=2.39; 95% CI: 1.01–5.67). The most frequently reported reasons for EB cessation were perceived breastfeeding barriers and insufficient milk supply.<br/><br/><br/>Conclusions:<br/>A high continuation of exclusive breastfeeding was reported at two months after receiving HBPMC, suggesting that in-home breastfeeding support during the first week after birth may play an important role. Future interventions with in-home breastfeeding support targeting women with identified risk factors may further improve breastfeeding duration.}},
  author       = {{Åsman, Eva and Rubertsson, Christine and Mangrio, Elisabeth and Häggsgård, Cecilia}},
  issn         = {{2585-2906}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  number       = {{April}},
  publisher    = {{European Publishing}},
  series       = {{European Journal of Midwifery}},
  title        = {{High breastfeeding continuation at two months after birth in women receiving home-based postnatal midwifery care and factors associated with breastfeeding cessation – a prospective cohort study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.18332/ejm/219215}},
  doi          = {{10.18332/ejm/219215}},
  volume       = {{10}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}