Maternal ADHD and exclusive breastfeeding: A prospective community-based cohort study

Maternal ADHD is linked to lower 6-month exclusive breastfeeding in a Canadian cohort, with an adjusted average treatment effect on the treated of about −0.105.

• Why it matters: Exclusive breastfeeding duration is important, yet how maternal ADHD relates to breastfeeding outcomes is understudied despite ADHD being a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes.
• What they did: In a prospective community-based cohort in Canada (2014–2020), 3217 English-literate mother–father dyads reported feeding at 3 and 6 months; maternal ADHD was screened at baseline using Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (sum score ≥14).
• The result: Among families with maternal ADHD, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was reduced (ATT −0.105, 95% CI −0.209 to −0.003; multiple imputation ATT −0.109, 95% CI −0.213 to −0.004), suggesting tailored interventions may be needed.

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