Alcohol consumption, smoking and breastfeeding in the first six months after delivery.

To study alcohol use and smoking after delivery, and to relate this to breastfeeding.A longitudinal questionnaire study, representative of pregnant women in Oslo. Ninety-two per cent agreed to join the study. Non-Norwegian speaking and/or immigrants from non-western countries were not invited. Questionnaires were answered at 17 (T1) and 30 (T2) wk of pregnancy, and 6 mo after term (T3). They were completed by 93% (1749 women) at T1, 82% at T2, and 92% at T3.Six months after delivery, 80% reported alcohol use. The mean alcohol consumption per week was less than half compared to the last 6 mo before pregnancy. The women with the highest pre-pregnancy use reduced the most. Binge drinking (> or = 5 drinks) was also reported by half as many women (29%). However, 6% reported 12 or more drinks per occasion at least once. No demographic or mental health variables predicted binge drinking after pregnancy. Smoking 6 mo after pregnancy was reported by 18%, a reduction of 50% from before pregnancy. Women breastfeeding for at least 6 mo had higher education, less frequently reported binge drinking after delivery and less frequently suffered postnatal depression.In this population-based sample were 86% breastfed for at least 6 mo, the level of binge drinking is concerning.