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Alcohol consumption, smoking and breastfeeding in the first six months after delivery.

Alvik A, Haldorsen T, Lindemann R

Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Ullevål University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Aim: To study alcohol use and smoking after delivery, and to relate this to breastfeeding. Methods: A longitudinal questionnaire study, representative of pregnant women in Oslo. Ninety-two per cent agreed to join the study. Non-Norwegian speaking and/or immigrants from non-western countries were not invited. Questionnaires were answered at 17 (T1) and 30 (T2) wk of pregnancy, and 6 mo after term (T3). They were completed by 93% (1749 women) at T1, 82% at T2, and 92% at T3. Results: Six months after delivery, 80% reported alcohol use. The mean alcohol consumption per week was less than half compared to the last 6 mo before pregnancy. The women with the highest pre-pregnancy use reduced the most. Binge drinking (>/= 5 drinks) was also reported by half as many women (29%). However, 6% reported 12 or more drinks per occasion at least once. No demographic or mental health variables predicted binge drinking after pregnancy. Smoking 6 mo after pregnancy was reported by 18%, a reduction of 50% from before pregnancy. Women breastfeeding for at least 6 mo had higher education, less frequently reported binge drinking after delivery and less frequently suffered postnatal depression.Conclusion: In this population-based sample were 86% breastfed for at least 6 mo, the level of binge drinking is concerning.

Published 6 June 2006 in Acta Paediatr, 95(6): 686-93.
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