Maternal Satisfaction with Perinatal Care and Breastfeeding at 6 Months Postpartum

Positive childbirth experiences increase breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Using a diverse, clinic-based sample of predominately low-income women (n = 118) recruited at their first prenatal appointment in 2017-2018 and followed through six months postpartum, binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between maternal satisfaction with perinatal care measured two weeks postpartum and breastfeeding at six months postpartum. Participants reported high satisfaction with perinatal care overall (mean = 25.7; range of 6-30), and 25% of participants reported breastfeeding at six months postpartum. Regression results found that greater satisfaction with perinatal care is associated with higher odds of breastfeeding at six months postpartum (OR = 1.19; <i>p</i> < 0.05), controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. These findings that have important implications for providers as they identify a group at risk for shorter breastfeeding duration: those who are less satisfied with their perinatal care. More research is needed to identify methods providers can use to increase satisfaction with care as well as to successfully encourage and assist mothers with breastfeeding despite challenges that might arise during pregnancy or childbirth that are associated with low satisfaction.