WIP 37 - Breastmilk Feeding in Active Duty Mothers after Parental Leave Extension

Publication Number: WIP 37.7698

Dakota Tomasini, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, United States; Adharsh Ponnapakkam, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, United States; Jeanne Krick, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, TX, United States; Richelle Roelandt L. Homo, Brooke Army Medical Center / TX, san antonio, TX, United States; Jonathan Shapiro, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Joint Base San Antonio, TX, United States; Josh Anchan, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, United States; Kaitlyn T. Mullin, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, United States

Background: Exclusive breastmilk feeding is the standard for infant nutrition. Active duty (AD) mothers face unique stressors with studies like Trego et al showing increased cessation of breastmilk feeding by 6 months when compared to civilian mothers. Nationally, maternity leave is on average financially limited to 10 weeks despite the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocating for a minimum 12 weeks paid leave. In 2016, the Department of Defense (DOD) extended maternity leave from 6 to 12 weeks. Delle Donne et al saw a subsequent increase in exclusive breastmilk feeding from 29.3% to 37.3% at 6 months at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). On 04Jan23, parental leave was further expanded to a total of 18 to 20 weeks. Research studying the outcomes due to changes to military parental leave is vital to further support policy that directly impacts the development of children born to military families, preserves the mother-infant dyad, and ultimately allows AD members to effectively carry out the mission. Further, improved parental leave within the military may act as a much-needed model for national change.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if there is continued positive correlation between exclusive breastmilk feeding through 6 months and extension of parental leave in AD mothers.

Design/Methods: IRB exempt retrospective chart review of all infants born to AD mothers at BAMC between 01Feb22 – 30Jun23 identifying rates of breastmilk feeding initiation, exclusivity and duration before and after policy change. Secondary objectives include determining if there was difference among members of varying military branch, rank, non-birthing parent AD status, marital status, maternal parity, delivery mode, gestational age, and infant health during birth admission. Chi-square analysis is intended to determine statistical significance between our categorical data. Kaplan-Meier analysis will be utilized to show change in breastmilk feeding over time. We recently received our data with a projected timeline to have our data reviewed, analyzed and ready for presentation by 01Apr25.