No abstract

Healthy term newborn feeding choice at the Maternity Ward may determine exclusive breastfeeding (EB) duration. Objective: Determine prospectively if early introduction of breast milk substitutes (BMS) or other liquids in healthy term newborns is associated to a reduction of EB incidence at 1 month of age. Methods: Concurrent cohort study of 211 healthy term neonates born in Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica during October 2007-June 2007, 108 non-supplemented and 103 supplemented with milk formula or dextrose 5% during the time they stayed at the Maternity Ward. Crude and adjusted risk of EB cessation between both groups was estimated at 1 month of age. Results: One month after birth, 40/100 (40.0%) of supplemented newborns and 26/101 (25.7%) non-supplemented newborns were not receiving exclusive breastfeeding (crude RR = 1.55 (CI95% 1.03-2.34)). Adjusted by maternal characteristics (age, education, breastfeeding experience, education in breastfeeding, EB time projection and paternal support) and newborn characteristics (type of delivery and birthweight), EB cessation risk was 55% higher in supplemented neonates (adjusted RR = 1.55, CI95% 1.01-2.35). Conclusion: Early supplementation in healthy term newborns with BMS is associated to a higher risk of EB cessation at 1 month of age.