Unintended pregnancy and breast-feeding behavior

Objectives. This study assessed the effect of unintended pregnancy on breast-feeding behavior. Methods. All women delivering a live birth between January 1, 1995, and July 31, 1996 (n = 33 735), in the 15-county central New York region were asked whether they had intended to become pregnant and their breast-feeding plans. Results. Women with mistimed pregnancies, and pregnancies that were not wanted were significantly less likely to breast-feed than were women whose pregnancies were planned. After adjustment for confounding variables and contraindications for breast-feeding, the odds ratios of not breast-feeding remained significant. Conclusions. Promoting breastfeeding among women with unintended pregnancies is important to improve health status.