Breast binding... is it all that it's wrapped up to be?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the difference in breast symptoms between breast binding and support bra wearing in nonbreastfeeding postpartum mothers.

DESIGN

A systematic replication of an earlier study by Bristol using a pre-experimental posttest design.

SETTING

A private, for-profit hospital in a city in the south-central region of the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty nonbreastfeeding postpartum women who gave birth to viable newborns of singleton gestations, had an uncomplicated postpartum, and did not receive hormonal lactation suppressants.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postpartum breast engorgement, leakage, tenderness, and use of pain relief measures as measured by the Bristol Record of Symptoms.

RESULTS

Analysis of the data revealed no significant difference relative to breast engorgement between the two groups during the first 10 postpartum days. However, the breast-binder group reported a greater degree of breast tenderness, breast leakage, and use of other pain relief measures.

CONCLUSION

Breast binding should be discontinued as a method of lactation suppression and use of support bras encouraged. Future studies need to focus on comfort for nonbreastfeeding, postpartum mothers.