Parental smoking in the first two years of a child's life and its associations with breastfeeding

Abstract

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months followed by ongoing breastfeeding to 12 months and beyond is associated with multiple benefits for both mother and child. Maternal smoking is associated with a reduction in breastfeeding. Little is known about the effect of partner smoking on breastfeeding.AimsThis study explores the smoking behaviour of mothers and their partners in the first two years of a child's life and its associations with breastfeeding practice.Materials and MethodsWe performed a secondary data analysis using survey data on 1155 mothers from their third trimester of pregnancy and at six, 12 and 24 months after delivery. Survey questions included smoking status of both mother and partner and breastfeeding intention and practice. Logistic regression models were conducted at each time point.FindingsWhere the mother or both parents smoke, babies were less likely to be breastfed at six months of age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.66) compared with families where neither parent smoked. Non‐smoking mothers with smoking partners were less likely to intend to breastfeed (aOR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.82) and their babies were less likely to be breastfed at six and 12 months of age (aOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.98 and 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.95 respectively). There was no difference in breastfeeding behaviour between smoking and non‐smoking parents at 24 months.ConclusionSmoking parents are less likely to breastfeed their babies at ages six and 12 months. Breastfeeding promotion should target both smoking mothers and smoking partners.