Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association
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We examined the relationship of labor pain relief medications with neonatal suckling and breastfeeding duration in 129 mothers delivering vaginally. Suckling was measured using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT). Controlling for infant age, birthweight, and gender, infants of unmedicated mothers had higher IBFAT suckling scores than those of medicated mothers (x = 11.1 vs. x = 8.2 respectively, P = .001). ⋯ Mothers evaluated their breastfeeding similarly to nurse evaluators (Z = 9.39, P = .001). Breastfeeding duration did not differ between unmedicated and medicated groups; however, dyads with low IBFAT scores weaned earlier than those with medium or high scores. Labor pain relief medications diminish early suckling but are not associated with duration of breastfeeding through 6 weeks postpartum.