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The study investigates the relationship between breastfeeding duration and metabolic syndrome prevalence in women with previous pregnancy complications.

February 27, 2026Frontiers in Global Women s Health0 citationsOpen Access

The association between breastfeeding and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with a previous major pregnancy complication

MPMaleesa Pathirana EAEmily Aldridge PAPrabha H. Andraweera

Key Points

The study investigates the relationship between breastfeeding duration and metabolic syndrome prevalence in women with previous pregnancy complications.
Conducted a cross-sectional analysis involving 524 women postpartum
Self-reported breastfeeding status measured
Cardiovascular disease risk factors assessed at approximately 6 months postpartum
Metabolic syndrome defined according to the Harmonising The Metabolic Syndrome criteria
Statistical analysis performed using SPSS Version 27.
Breastfeeding for longer than 5.5 months was linked to lower abnormal lipid prevalence and hypertension
Women breastfeeding for over 5.5 months were 53% less likely to have metabolic syndrome at 6 months postpartum
Higher breastfeeding prevalence was observed in women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared to those without
Lower breastfeeding prevalence noted in women with hypertensive disorders compared to non-HDP women.

Abstract

Introduction Maternal complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, spontaneous preterm birth and placental abruption are individually associated with an increased risk of premature heart disease. Breastfeeding may reduce early postpartum cardiometabolic risk in this group. This study aimed the association between breastfeeding and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the early postpartum period amongst women with previous pregnancy complication. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 524 women who attended an appointment in a postpartum cardiovascular disease prevention clinic for women with previous pregnancy complications (HREC: TQEH/16/LMH/258). Breastfeeding status was self-reported and cardiovascular disease risk factors were assessed at approximately 6 months postpartum. MetS was reported as a marker of cardiovascular health, defined using the Harmonising The Metabolic Syndrome definition. Statistical analysis was reported using SPSS Version 27. Results Breastfeeding for 5.5 months postpartum was associated with a lower prevalence of abnormal lipids (based on triglyceride and High Density Lipoprotein cut-offs for MetS), lower prevalence of treated hypertension and systolic blood pressure 130 mmHg. Women who breastfed for 5.5 months were 53% less likely to have MetS at 6 months postpartum (aOR 0.47 95%, CI 0.29–0.77). The prevalence of breastfeeding for 5.5 months was higher for women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (GDM 55% vs. non-GDM 44%, p = 0.025), and the prevalence of breastfeeding for 5.5 months was lower for women with a previous hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) (HDP 41% vs. non-HDP 59%, p 0.001). Conclusion Women who breastfeed for longer is associated with lower prevalence of MetS and its components in the early postpartum period. However, further studies are required to assess this association based on lactation intensity.

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