Breastfeeding after Returning to Work: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frédéric Dutheil, Grégory Méchin, Philippe Vorilhon, Amanda C. Benson, Anne Bottet, Maëlys Clinchamps, Chloé Barasinski and Valentin Navel
Additional contact information
Frédéric Dutheil: CNRS, LaPSCo, Physiological and Psychosocial Stress, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Université Clermont Auvergne, WittyFit, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Grégory Méchin: Department of General Practice, UFR Medicine, 28 Place Henri-Dunant, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Philippe Vorilhon: Department of General Practice, UFR Medicine, Research Unit ACCePPT Self-Medication, Multi-Professional Support for Patients, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri-Dunant, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Amanda C. Benson: Swinburne University of Technology, Health and Biostatistics, Hawthorn, Victoria, VIC 3122, Australia
Anne Bottet: Department of General Practice, UFR Medicine, Research Unit ACCePPT Self-Medication, Multi-Professional Support for Patients, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri-Dunant, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Maëlys Clinchamps: CNRS, LaPSCo, Physiological and Psychosocial Stress, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Université Clermont Auvergne, WittyFit, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Chloé Barasinski: CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne Perinatality, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Valentin Navel: CNRS, INSERM, GReD, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, Ophthalmology, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are widely known; however, continuation after returning to work (RTW) is not. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of breastfeeding after RTW. The secondary objectives were to compare the economic statuses between continents. Method: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Base, and Embase were searched until 1 September 2020, and two independent reviewers selected the studies and collated the data. To be included, articles needed to describe our primary outcome, i.e., prevalence of breastfeeding after RTW. Results: We included 14 studies, analyzing 42,820 women. The overall prevalence of breastfeeding after RTW was 25% (95% CI, 21% to 29%), with an important heterogeneity (I 2 = 98.6%)—prevalence ranging from 2% to 61%. Stratification by continents and by GDP per capita also showed huge heterogeneity. The Middle East had the weakest total prevalence with 10% (6% to 14%), and Oceania the strongest with 35% (21% to 50%). Despite the prevalence of breastfeeding in general increasing with GDP per capita (US$50,000 42%), the prevalence of non-exclusive breastfeeding follows more of a U-curve with the lowest and highest GDP per capita having the highest percentages of breastfeeding (US$50,000: 50%, versus <28% for all other categories). Conclusion: Breastfeeding after RTW is widely heterogeneous across the world. Despite economic status playing a role in breastfeeding after RTW, cultural aspects seem influential. The lack of data regarding breastfeeding after RTW in most countries demonstrates the strong need of data to inform effective preventive strategies.

Keywords: lactation; occupation; public health; pregnancy; well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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