The type of delivery influences breastfeeding, both in terms of initiation and duration. The aim of the study was to determine the association between the type of delivery and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice among Polish women. Data on sociodemographic variables, pre-pregnancy weight, height, course of pregnancy, type of delivery and duration of breastfeeding were collected using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview. Of the 1024 breastfeeding women who participated in the study, 59.9% gave birth vaginally and 40.1% gave birth by caesarean section. The chance of starting EBF [OR: 0.478; 95% Cl: 0.274, 0.832] and continuing it for four months [OR: 0.836; 95% Cl: 0.569, 0.949] was lower in the case of caesarean delivery. Starting EBF was negatively affected by pre-pregnancy overweight status and obesity in the case of caesarean delivery. EBF practice for four months was negatively affected by age [18-24 years and 25-34 years], elementary education and average income [2001-4000 PLN] in the case of caesarean delivery. A negative impact on the chance of EBF for six months was also observed for younger age [18-24 years], elementary and secondary education and average income [2001-4000 PLN] in the case of caesarean delivery. There was no association between starting EBF and age, net income, place of living, pregnancy complications or the child's birth weight category in the case of both subgroups, as well as between education and previous pregnancies in the case of vaginal delivery. These results suggest that women who deliver by caesarean section need additional breastfeeding support.
Keywords: breastfeeding duration; caesarean delivery; exclusive breastfeeding; vaginal delivery.