PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “breastfeeding”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters using the Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST).

The promotion of breastfeeding has been established as a global public health issue. Despite this global agenda, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates remain low in many countries. The lack of provision of adequate support to the breastfeeding mother is an important contributory factor to shorter duration of breastfeeding. Health professionals and voluntary breastfeeding supporters are in a prime position to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive support to the breastfeeding mother. However, a comparative evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of voluntary breastfeeding supporters and health professionals has never been conducted. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and Breastfeeding Network (BfN) supporters. Breastfeeding support skills were assessed using a between-subjects design conducted with 15 midwives and 15 BfN supporters in the north-west of England. Support skills were measured using the prevalidated Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST), a questionnaire and video tool. Total scores on the BeSST were significantly higher in the BfN group (mean = 42.5 +/- 6.4 SD) than in the midwife group (mean = 30.7 +/- 8.2 SD) [t (26.5) = 4.4, P < 0.0001]. The BfN group has the breastfeeding support skills necessary to provide adequate assistance for breastfeeding mothers. An interagency and interdisciplinary collaborative model is crucial to developing a coherent and cohesive approach to the support infrastructure for breastfeeding women.

Adult↗

ABFAB. Attachment to the breast and family attitudes to breastfeeding. The effect of breastfeeding education in the middle of pregnancy on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding: a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN21556494].

BACKGROUND: It has proven difficult to reach World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations that infants be exclusively breastfed from birth to six months of age 12, yet there is limited knowledge about interventions that are effective in increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration. Particularly lacking is evidence about how to maintain breastfeeding rates in countries which already have a high initiation of breastfeeding. This study aims to determine whether mid-pregnancy breastfeeding education, with a focus on either attitudes to breastfeeding or on technical aspects of breastfeeding, has an effect on rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Secondary aims of the study are to: explore what factors might affect the duration of breastfeeding and evaluate the interventions from the participant and childbirth facilitator perspectives. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) design will be used. Women having their first baby, and planning to give birth as public patients at the Royal Women's Hospital (RWH), Melbourne, will be approached at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy and invited to participate in the study. Participants will be randomly allocated to a control group or one of two group interventions: a previously designed and trialled tool to teach practical aspects of breastfeeding or an exploration of family attitudes to breastfeeding. The latter was developed and piloted by the investigators in conjunction with the group facilitators, prior to trial commencement. The interventions are planned to take place at 20-25 weeks. Data will be collected by questionnaire at recruitment, at interview in hospital after the birth and by telephone interview six months later. Medical/obstetric outcomes will be obtained from the medical record. The sample size (972) was calculated to identify an increase in breastfeeding initiation from 75 to 85% and an increase from 40 to 50% in breastfeeding at six months.

Journal Article↗

Randomized controlled trial to determine effects of prenatal breastfeeding workshop on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding duration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a prenatal breastfeeding workshop on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding duration. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Large tertiary hospital in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 110 primiparous women expecting a single child, an uncomplicated birth, and planning to breastfeed. INTERVENTION: 2.5-hour prenatal breastfeeding workshop based on adult learning principles and self-efficacy theory. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and the numbers of days and amount of breastfeeding were measured at four and eight weeks postpartum. RESULTS/DATA ANALYSIS: Over time, maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scores increased in both groups. Women who attended the workshop had higher self-efficacy scores and a higher proportion were exclusively breastfeeding compared to women who did not attend the workshop. There was little difference in the average number of days of breastfeeding, but the intervention group had less weaning. CONCLUSIONS: The workshop increased maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and exclusive breastfeeding.

Adolescent↗

Evaluating the association of two breastfeeding assessment tools with breastfeeding problems and breastfeeding satisfaction.

This pilot study evaluated how the scores from each of two breastfeeding assessment tools correlated with breastfeeding satisfaction and problems. A convenience sample of 30 first-time breastfeeding mothers participated. Mothers were randomly assigned to use either the LATCH or Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT). The Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale (MBFES) and Potential Early Breastfeeding Problem Tool (PEBPT) were used to evaluate the association of the scores of each assessment tool with breastfeeding satisfaction and breastfeeding problems. As scores on the both the LATCH and IBFAT increased, maternal satisfaction scores tended to increase, but not significantly, and breastfeeding problem scores tended to decrease (r = -0.5, p = 0.06 and r = -0.49, p = 0.06; respectively.

Adult↗

Support for breastfeeding mothers.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding rates at three to four months remain low in many health care settings. In economically advantaged countries, young mothers, those in low-income groups or those who ceased full-time education at an early age are least likely to breastfeed. In poorer countries, more affluent groups may breastfeed less. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of breastfeeding support. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (last searched March 1998), Medline (from 1993), Embase (from 1980), Cinahl, Midirs (from 1991), English National Health Board database and reference lists of articles. We contacted researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled trials of acceptable quality comparing extra support for breastfeeding mothers with usual maternity care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by the second reviewer. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen trials were included. The relative risk for stopping exclusive feeding within two months was 0. 83, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 0.96. The relative risk for stopping breastfeeding within two months was 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.86. One more mother will breastfeed for two months if support is provided for nine women (95% confidence interval 6 to 21). Similarly, one more woman will breastfeed exclusively if support is given to nine women (95% confidence interval 6 to 40). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The provision of extra support by professionals with special skills in breastfeeding appears to result in more mothers breastfeeding their babies until two months of age, and more mothers breastfeeding their babies exclusively to two months of age.

Breast Feeding↗

Breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding confidence, and infant feeding plans: effects on actual feeding practices.

OBJECTIVE: To explore relationships among breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding confidence, and infant feeding plans and their effects on feeding practices in first-time breastfeeding mothers. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive design. SETTING: Telephone interviews were conducted prenatally and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-four of 83 first-time mothers with prenatal intentions to breastfeed completed all study requirements. The majority were White (95%), between the ages of 21 and 30 years (73%), with a post-high school education (85%), and household incomes of more than 200% of the federal poverty guideline (88%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding confidence, planned infant feeding method, planned breastfeeding duration, weeks of daily human milk substitute feeding, breastfeeding duration, achievement of breastfeeding goals. RESULTS: Breastfeeding knowledge was strongly correlated with breastfeeding confidence (r = .262; p = .025) and actual lactation duration (r = .455; p = .0001). Compared with women planning to exclusively breastfeed their infants, those planning to combination feed planned shorter breastfeeding duration (p = .022), reported shorter actual duration (p = .004), and were less likely to meet their breastfeeding goal (p = .034). The variables maternal education, breastfeeding knowledge, and weeks of daily human milk substitute feeding were used to develop a prediction equation that correctly categorized 93% of participants who met their breastfeeding goal and 90% of those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Expectations and the actual breastfeeding experience differed among women planning to combination feed and those planning to exclusively breastfeed. Whether a cause or consequence, daily human milk substitute feeding was associated with negative breastfeeding outcomes.

Adult↗

Breastfeeding patterns and exposure to suboptimal breastfeeding among children in developing countries: review and analysis of nationally representative surveys.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal breastfeeding is associated with higher mortality among infants and young children in the developing world. We describe patterns in 'exclusive breastfeeding' and 'any breastfeeding' rates and quantify exposure to suboptimal breastfeeding among children aged two years or younger in developing countries. METHODS: We reviewed nationally representative surveys that collected data on breastfeeding rates in 94 developing countries. Surveys were categorized by completeness and comprehensiveness of data. Complete and comprehensive data were analysed with minimum chi-square regression. With a fitting procedure, estimated parameters were used to impute missing observations for incomplete or non-comprehensive surveys. Breastfeeding indicators were calculated and are reported for 135 developing countries by UN region. RESULTS: Amongst infants aged six months or younger in the developing world, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is 39% and the prevalence of no breastfeeding is 5.6%. The prevalence of continued breastfeeding is 86% and 68% for infants and children aged 6-11 and 12-23 months, respectively, in the developing world. Imputation expands population coverage of indicators, especially for infants. Breastfeeding trends are highly linear and estimated parameters defining the age-specific attrition hazard are robust. Survey-reported rates, particularly for exclusive breastfeeding, appear to have systematic upward bias, and exposure estimates must be considered conservative. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with breastfeeding recommendations in developing countries is low, and more attention should be given to increasing breastfeeding - especially exclusive breastfeeding - and to monitoring trends. Although the introduction of more standardized and better validated survey instruments is desirable, since data coverage, completeness and comprehensiveness are extensive, global exposure assessment is relatively robust. Moreover, the regularity of breastfeeding patterns show existing survey data capture real biological and social phenomena. Our method for the analysis of breastfeeding rates provides a potent tool for summarizing trends, validating observations, translating and extrapolating indicators (as well as projecting and imputing estimates when necessary) and should support more effective child health monitoring.

Age Factors↗

Effect of maternal confidence on breastfeeding duration: an application of breastfeeding self-efficacy theory.

BACKGROUND: Although much research has focused on identifying factors that influence breastfeeding initiation and duration, many high-risk factors are nonmodifiable demographic variables. Predisposing factors for low breastfeeding duration rates that are amenable to supportive interventions should be identified. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of maternal confidence (breastfeeding self-efficacy) on breastfeeding duration. METHOD: A prospective survey was conducted with 300 women in the last trimester of pregnancy recruited from the antenatal clinic of a large metropolitan hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Telephone interviews were conducted at 1 week and 4 months postpartum to assess infant feeding methods and breastfeeding confidence using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: Although 92 percent of participants initiated breastfeeding, by 4 months postpartum almost 40 percent discontinued and only 28.6 percent were breastfeeding exclusively; the most common reason for discontinuation was insufficient milk supply. Antenatal and 1-week Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale scores were significantly related to breastfeeding outcomes at 1 week and 4 months. Mothers with high breastfeeding self-efficacy were significantly more likely to be breastfeeding, and doing so exclusively, at 1 week and 4 months postpartum than mothers with low breastfeeding self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy is a significant predictor of breastfeeding duration and level. Integrating self-efficacy enhancing strategies may improve the quality of healthcare that healthcare professionals deliver and may increase a new mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed, and to persevere if she does encounter difficulties.

Adult↗

Does parental breastfeeding knowledge increase breastfeeding rates?

OBJECTIVE: Although improving mothers' knowledge about breastfeeding can increase rates and duration of breastfeeding, little is known about the influence of fathers' knowledge. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of mothers and fathers about breastfeeding before and after receiving postpartum advice and its relationship to the frequency of breastfeeding. METHODS: A clinical trial was performed with mothers and fathers of normal children born at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between July 1994 and March 1995. The study intervention consisted of postpartum advice supplied by means of a video film discussing basic topics of breastfeeding, an explanatory leaflet, and open discussion after viewing the video. The first 208 couples comprised the control group, the next 197 comprised experimental group 1, and the remaining 196 comprised experimental group 2. Immediately after delivery, mothers and fathers in the three groups answered a test on breastfeeding knowledge; they completed the same test at the end of the first month. All families received home visits at the end of the first, second, fourth, and sixth months, or until breastfeeding ceased. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the mothers' and fathers' knowledge and frequency of breastfeeding. RESULTS: Postpartum advice increased the breastfeeding knowledge of mothers and fathers. The mothers with the highest level of knowledge had a 6.5 times higher chance of exclusively breastfeeding at the end of the third month, and 1.97 times higher chance of continuing breastfeeding to the end of the sixth month compared with other mothers. The fathers' knowledge also significantly influenced breastfeeding rates. The children whose fathers knew more had a 1.76 higher chance of being exclusively breastfed at the end of the first month, and 1.91 higher chance of receiving maternal milk at the end of the third month. CONCLUSION: A simple, inexpensive strategy can increase the level of breastfeeding knowledge of mothers and fathers and, consequently, have a positive impact on the frequency of breastfeeding.

Adult↗

Breastfeeding duration and previous breastfeeding experience.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of duration of earlier breastfeeding on the duration of breastfeeding with subsequent births. Medical records of 327 women who had had at least two deliveries were analysed; 89 of these women had had three deliveries. The average duration of breastfeeding increased from 6.01 mo to 6.85 mo with the second baby, but did not increase significantly with the third. A significant negative correlation was found between duration of first breastfeeding and change of breastfeeding duration at the second breastfeeding. Mothers who breastfed their first child for 0-7 mo significantly increased the duration of breastfeeding with the second child, whereas mothers who breastfed their firstborn for 8 mo or longer significantly reduced breastfeeding with the second baby. CONCLUSION: Results support earlier studies showing that duration of breastfeeding of the second child is significantly related to previous breastfeeding experience. Results also suggest that previous breastfeeding experience may lead mothers to regulate duration of subsequent breastfeeding toward a level that is optimal for them. The results are interpreted with respect to societal changes in breastfeeding patterns, as well as the role of maternal learning in breastfeeding behaviour.

Adult↗

Breastfeeding promotion in non-UNICEF-certified hospitals and long-term breastfeeding success in Germany.

AIM: To assess breastfeeding practices using the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund (WHO/UNICEF) Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding for Baby-Friendly Hospitals in unselected non-UNICEF certified German hospitals and to examine the influences of breastfeeding promotion on long-term breastfeeding success as assessed by WHO criteria. METHODS: Information on the fulfilment of the Ten Steps was collected in 177 randomly chosen maternity hospitals by a postal questionnaire. Breastfeeding duration was assessed in 1487 mothers delivering in these hospitals. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association between a low breastfeeding promotion index, defined as fulfilment of fewer than five steps, and the risk of short-term breastfeeding, less than 4 mo. RESULTS: A higher breastfeeding promotion index was not associated with early breastfeeding but was significantly associated with full breastfeeding at 4 and 6 mo. After adjusting for confounding factors, delivering in a hospital with a low breastfeeding promotion index was associated with an increased risk of short-term breastfeeding [odds ratio (OR) 1.24], although associations with maternal demographic variables (young age: OR 3.34), low educational level (OR 2.81) and upbringing in East Germany (OR 2.27) were stronger. CONCLUSION: In unselected German hospitals even moderate levels of breastfeeding promotion identified by WHO/UNICEF criteria were associated with long-term breastfeeding success.

Adult↗

Process-oriented training in breastfeeding alters attitudes to breastfeeding in health professionals.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to measure the attitudes of antenatal midwives and postnatal nurses to breastfeeding before and after common, process-oriented breastfeeding training. METHOD: Antenatal centres and child-health centres in 10 municipalities were randomized to either an intervention or a control group. The antenatal midwives and postnatal nurses in the intervention group were together given process-oriented breastfeeding training and were, in addition, asked to develop a common breastfeeding policy. A previously developed instrument was used to measure the effects of a training programme on breastfeeding attitudes among midwives and postnatal nurses. It consisted of four scales measuring a person's attitudes toward breastfeeding in four dimensions: regulating, facilitating, disempowering, and breastfeeding-antipathy attitudes. A mean score was calculated for each individual on these four dimensional scales. The higher the score, the stronger the attitude. RESULTS: After one year, the intervention group reduced their scores on the regulating scale when compared with the control group (p<0.001). The intervention group decreased their scores on the regulating scale and increased their scores on the facilitating scale over the first year after training. The control group also significantly increased their scores on the facilitating scale. When the results were analysed profession-wise, the postnatal nurses in the intervention group decreased their scores on the regulating and disempowering scales and increased their scores on the facilitating scale. In contrast, the midwives in the intervention group decreased their scores only on the breastfeeding antipathy scale. The control group midwives decreased their scores on the disempowering scale. No differences were found among the postnatal nurses in the control group. CONCLUSION: Process-oriented breastfeeding training made both antenatal midwives and postnatal nurses better disposed to breastfeeding; postnatal nurses in particular improved their attitudes. Attitudes to breastfeeding tended to be stable over time, but process-oriented training lowered the scores a little on the regulating scale, suggesting that after this kind of training counsellors would find it less necessary to schedule and control the mothers' breastfeeding behaviour.

Adult↗

[Breastfeeding characteristics and reasons to stop breastfeeding].

INTRODUCTION: Decision making concerning breastfeeding is a complicated process with many variables influencing the decision to breastfeed or not. OBJECTIVE: To study breastfeeding patterns among Israeli women and to understand why and when women stop breastfeeding. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to the mothers in the Maternity Department at Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot. The questionnaires included demographic data and questions relating to their current desire to breastfeed and their previous breastfeeding experience. The women were contacted by phone after 4-6 months and the actual breastfeeding history was noted. Women who were still breastfeeding at that time were contacted again 12-15 months after delivery. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 733 births in the hospital. Approximately 600 questionnaires were distributed and 515 (86%) women responded. Four hundred and seventy (91%) of the mothers were contacted by phone 4-6 months after delivery. The results showed that 87% of the women started breastfeeding, while 51% breastfed their babies for at least 3 months, 25% for at least 6 months and 8% breastfed their babies for one year. Women born in Ethiopia breastfed their babies for significantly longer periods than women of any other origin. Women who defined themselves as ultra orthodox, breastfed their babies significantly longer then women who defined themselves as religious, traditional or secular. The study revealed that 70% of the women did not receive any assistance with breastfeeding outside the hospital and 42% of the women stop breastfeeding because of "insufficient milk". CONCLUSIONS: The rate of initiation of breastfeeding is high among Israeli women in our survey. Breastfeeding duration is higher today than in previous reports for Israeli women in the 1970's and 1980's. Women who were born in Ethiopia breastfed their child for a longer duration than women who were born elsewhere. Women who defined themselves as ultra orthodox breastfed longer then women who defined themselves in any other way. The most common reason to stop breastfeeding is "insufficient milk", which in most cases is a reversible condition.

Attitude to Health↗

The relationship between positioning, the breastfeeding dynamic, the latching process and pain in breastfeeding mothers with sore nipples.

In recognition of the irrefutable disadvantages of not breastfeeding to the mother, baby, society and the environment, increasing the duration of breastfeeding has become a focus of national and international health objectives. However, many mothers experience such painful sore nipples that they stop breastfeeding before they intended. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between various aspects of optimal breastfeeding (e.g. the positioning of the baby at the mother's breast, the positioning of the baby's head and mouth, the breastfeeding dynamic and the latching process) using a guided assessment and documentation tool and the breastfeeding mother's level of reported pain on a five-point verbal descriptor scale. Ninety-five healthy postpartum breastfeeding mothers who sequentially reported sore nipples within ten days of giving birth to healthy, term babies in a hospital in Latvia participated in the study. Each mother's midwife observed, assessed and documented a breastfeed using a guidance assessment form, the Lactation Assessment Tool (LAT). Each mother scored her own pain during breastfeeding. Four attribute categories were scored and examined as related to the pain levels of the mother: the baby's face position (chin and nose and head position, cheekline, lip flange and angle of mouth opening); the baby's body position (height at the breast, body rotation and body in relation to mother's body); the breastfeeding dynamic (change in breastfeeding pattern (suck vs swallow) and movement of mother's breast) and the latching process of the baby (root, gape, seal and suck). No significant difference was found between the mother's level of reported pain and the assessed head position, body position or breastfeeding dynamic attributes of the baby. However, more optimal latching process behaviour of the baby (rooting, gaping, sealing, and sucking behaviour) are slightly related to lower levels of reported pain (r(88) = -0.09, p > 0.05). This should serve to remind clinicians that no one aspect of positioning may be more critical than another. Assessment of breastfeeding should be comprehensive and should begin before the infant is at the breast. Early stages of the infant's breast seeking behaviours should be observed as well as the actual feeding.

Adult↗

[The influence of breastfeeding technique on the frequencies of exclusive breastfeeding and nipple trauma in the first month of lactation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of breastfeeding technique on the frequencies of exclusive breastfeeding and nipple trauma in the first month of lactation. METHODS: We searched for unfavorable parameters of breastfeeding (five related to mother/baby positioning and three related to baby's latch on) in 211 mother-baby pairs in the maternity ward and at day 30, at home. We compared the frequencies of these parameters between mothers practicing or not exclusive breastfeeding at days 7 and 30, and between mothers with or without nipple trauma at the hospital. RESULTS: The number of unfavorable parameters in the maternity ward was similar for mother-baby pairs practicing or not exclusive breastfeeding at day 7 and 30. However, at day 30, it was, on average, lower among those under exclusive breastfeeding, regarding positioning (1.7+/-1.2 vs 2.2+/-1.1; p = 0.009) as well as latch on (1.0+/-0.6 vs 1.4+/-0.6; p < 0.001). The number of unfavorable parameters related to latch on in the maternity ward was similar for women with or without nipple trauma, but women without trauma presented a higher number of unfavorable parameters related to positioning. (2.0+/-1.4 vs 1.4+/-1.2; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The frequencies of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month and of nipple trauma were not influenced by the breastfeeding technique in the maternity ward, but there was an association between a better technique at day 30 and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. New studies may help to elucidate whether an improvement in breastfeeding practices over time helps the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding or whether the introduction of bottle-feeding determines a negative effect on breastfeeding.

Adult↗

Infant and maternal factors in the development of breastfeeding behaviour and breastfeeding outcome in preterm infants.

A wide range in incidence of breastfeeding has been reported in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of infant and maternal factors on the development of preterm infants' breastfeeding behaviour and breastfeeding outcome. The sample consisted of 71 preterm infants born after a gestation of 26-35 wk. A descriptive, prospective design was used, with direct behavioural observation as data collection method, based on mothers' assessments according to the Preterm Infant Breastfeeding Behavior Scale (PIBBS), in which higher scores indicate higher competence. Multiple regression analyses revealed that variables associated with efficient infant performance included higher birthweight, less need of ventilator and oxygen treatment, higher haemoglobin level, absence of bottle-feeding, no need of apnoea treatment with Theophylline, and no suspicion of infection. A short gestation was associated with high PIBBS scores during weeks 32-37. Maternal characteristics associated with higher infant competence were breastfeeding experience and low educational level. Fifty-seven infants were discharged with full breastfeeding and 10 infants with partial breastfeeding. Infants with a short gestation period achieved full breastfeeding at low postmenstrual and high postnatal age. Infants with Theophylline treatment, low haemoglobin level, and a longer period of separation from their mothers established full breastfeeding at higher postmenstrual and postnatal age. In conclusion, low gestational age at birth was associated with early emergence of efficient breastfeeding behaviour and a high incidence of full breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding↗

Impact of working status on breastfeeding in Singapore: evidence from the National Breastfeeding Survey 2001.

BACKGROUND: This study uses data from the 2001 Singapore National Breastfeeding Survey to examine factors, including working status, associated with breastfeeding duration. METHODS: All women who delivered in the eight hospitals with obstetric services in Singapore from 1 April to 31 May 2001 were invited to participate in a survey on infant feeding and nutrition at 2 and 6 months postpartum. A total of 2149 respondents were interviewed for variables that were known or suspected to be associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the associated effect of working status on breastfeeding duration. Kaplan-Meier estimate and survival curves were compared between working and non-working mothers. RESULTS: Working status had no effect on initiation of breastfeeding, but had an effect on breastfeeding duration. The median breastfeeding duration for non-working and working mothers was 9 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. This difference was significant by log rank test [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-1.41, P value <0.001]. About 31% of non-working mothers breastfed for up to 6 months as compared to 20% of working mothers. Working mothers were more likely to stop breastfeeding than non-working mothers (HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.43-1.85, P value = 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. The most important reason for working mothers stopping breastfeeding between 2 and 6 months was attributable to work. CONCLUSION: More breastfeeding-friendly initiatives need to be put in place at workplaces to encourage working mothers to continue breastfeeding upon returning to work.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the breastfeeding patterns of mothers who delivered their babies per vagina and via cesarean section: an observational study using the LATCH breastfeeding charting system.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has many advantages for both mothers and infants. Several factors related to the mother and the baby, however, have a negative effect on the initiation of breastfeeding. Mode of delivery is one of these factors. When delivery takes place by cesarean section, the mother becomes a surgical patient with all the inherent risks and problems. Cesarean delivery under general anesthesia rates are currently rising our country, but the effects of this factor on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding are unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the breastfeeding process in mothers who had cesarean deliveries (CD) with those who delivered vaginally (VD). DESIGN: This study is an observational and comparative study. SETTING: The environment of the research was the private hospital in Istanbul. PARTICIPANTS: The samples in the research were volunteer participant mothers who were delivered of healthy neonates. There were 118 incidents of CD under general anesthesia and 82 of VD chosen for the study. METHODS: Data was obtained using an "Introductory Information Form" which was prepared as suggested by related literature, and by using the "(LATCH) Breastfeeding Charting System." RESULTS: According to the LATCH Scoring System, the average score for the first breastfeeding was 6.27 and 8.81 for the third in CD mothers and 7.46 for the first breastfeeding and 9.70 for the third in VD mothers. Statistically meaningful differences were defined between the first (t=10.48; p<.001), second (t=7.82; p<.001), and third (t=7.12; p<.001) breastfeeding sessions in both CD and VD mothers. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the pattern of delivery affects breastfeeding and that CD mothers need more support and help as compared to VD mothers. CD mothers were seen to need more support, particularly in positioning their babies for breastfeeding.

Abbreviations as Topic↗