These researchers examined the relationship between breastfeeding and maternity leave before and after delivery among 770 full-time working mothers in Southern California. Taking maternity leave of ≤6 weeks or 6 to 12 weeks was associated, respectively, with a four-fold and two-fold higher odds of failure to establish breastfeeding and an increased probability of cessation after successful establishment compared with women not returning to work. Women who were particularly likely to cease breastfeeding upon returning to work included those with inflexible jobs, those in non-managerial positions, and women with high psychosocial distress. Time off work in the ninth month of pregnancy was not linked to breastfeeding establishment or duration.
