Breastfeeding in Mothers with Multiple Sclerosis: The German Experience.

Background

Many female people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are in childbearing age; however, only few data exist about the situation of breastfeeding in pwMS.

Objective

Our study analyzed breastfeeding rate and duration, reasons for weaning, and the impact of disease severity on successful breastfeeding in pwMS.

Methods

The study included pwMS giving birth within 3 years before study participation. Data were collected by structured questionnaire.

Results

Compared to published data, we found a significant difference (p = 0.0007) between the nursing rate in the general population (96.6%) and females with MS (85.9%). However, a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding could be observed in our study population for 5-6 months in 40.6% of pwMS versus 9% for 6 months in the general population. In contrast, total breastfeeding duration in our study population was shorter (18.8% for 11-12 months) than in the general population (41.1% for 12 months). Reasons for weaning were predominantly (68.7%) related to breastfeeding barriers based on MS. No significant impact of prepartum or postpartum education on the breastfeeding rate could be observed. Prepartum relapse rate and prepartum disease-modifying drugs had no effect on breastfeeding success.

Conclusion

Our survey provides an insight into the situation of breastfeeding in pwMS in Germany.