Objective: Maternal obesity negatively affects the health of the mother and the newborn during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. This study was carried out to determine if there was any difference with regard to breastfeeding behavior and postpartum comfort between obese and non-obese mothers.
Materials and Methods: This prospective case-control study included 104 mothers, of whom 54 were obese, in the Obstetrics Clinic Department of a university hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using the Individual Information Form, Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PPCQ), and LATCH breastfeeding assessment tool.
Results: The LATCH and PPCQ total scores in obese mothers were lower compared to non-obese mothers, and the difference was statistically significant. For obese women, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the LATCH score and the PPCQ total score, and the physical, psycho-spiritual, and sociocultural comfort subscale scores. For non-obese mothers, a positive correlation with the LATCH score was found only for the physical comfort subscale score.
Conclusion: Obesity affects the postpartum comfort and breastfeeding negatively, so mothers who are obese require more support than mothers who are not obese.