Breast-feeding rates and related maternal and infants’ obstetric factors in Japanese twins

Abstract

Objectives The aims of the present study are to describe the secular trend of breast-feeding rates in Japanese twins in comparison with the general population, and then to clarify the maternal and infants' obstetric factors associated with breast-feeding in twins. Methods Breast-feeding rates from 0 to 6 full months and related maternal and infant obstetric factors were analyzed using 4,023 Japanese twins, consisting of two different volunteer-based twin samples, age 1-15 years, whose birth year ranged from 1968 to 2003. Data were collected through mailed or hand-delivered questionnaires. Obstetric factors that affect full and partial breast-feeding of twins were confirmed using logistic analyses according to birth order in twin pairs, adjusted by birth year. Results The full breast-feeding rates of twins were lower than those of the general population. On the other hand, the combined rates of full and partial breast-feeding were close to those of general population, except for the period 1968-1974. The percentage of concordance pares was around 95% for all months. The most influential factor that negatively correlated with breast-feeding from 0 to 6 months was gestational weeks. Higher maternal age at twin birth and the use of an incubator also prevented breast-feeding in the neonatal period. Conclusions The results of the present study for the first time indicated that full breast-feeding of twins has risen recently in Japan, although the rates are still lower than those of the general population. The importance of the gestational weeks for breast-feeding rates was also shown.

Breastfeeding practices and parental employment in Japan

“…Two other relevant factors that affect the odds of breastfeeding are (1) the baby's birth weight, and (2) multiple births. Having a low birth-weight infant decreases the odds of breastfeeding by 33.2 %, because such infants tend to be kept in incubators, to be too weak to suckle, and to be hospitalized longer, compared to infants of normal birth weight (Ooki 2008). The odds of breastfeeding are also 0.380 times lower for multiple births, compared to single births.…”

“…Mothers of multiples have difficulty continuing breastfeeding because nursing multiples takes more time, which can lead to the mothers being more exhausted, and their milk supply is sometimes insufficient to nurse multiples (Leonard 2003;Ooki 2008). The duration of breastfeeding for mothers born in the 1960s is shorter by a significant 1.623 months than for those born in the 1970s.…”

Strategy and Practice of Support for Families with Multiple Births Children: Combination of Evidence-Based Public Health (EBPH) and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach

“…Many studies deal with the introduction of the skills or techniques for breastfeeding multiples (Flidel-Rimon & Shinwell, 2006;Gromada & Spangler, 1998), and practical recommendations or guidelines (Leonard, 2003). Breastfeeding rates from 0 to 6 full months were analyzed using 4,023 Japanese twins (Ooki, 2008). Full breastfeeding of twins has risen recently in Japan, although the rates are still lower than those of the general population.…”

Aleitamento materno em gêmeos: efeito do aconselhamento pré-natal e fatores associados ao desmame

“…Em países como Polônia, Espanha, EUA, Japão, entre outros, poucas pesquisas foram realizadas para demonstrar as taxas de aleitamento materno em gêmeos. Ao se considerar os estudos realizados em outros países, tem-se que a média das taxas de início de aleitamento materno total em gêmeos é de 80,0% (variando de 63,0% a 89,4%) (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15), e a média das taxas de início de aleitamento materno exclusivo é de 22,6% (variando de 4,9% a 57,8%) (10)(11)(12)(13)16). Após seis meses de vida dos gêmeos, a média das taxas de aleitamento materno total é de 34,13% (variando de 12,5% a 49,6%) (9,11,12,14,17), e a média das taxas de aleitamento materno exclusivo é de 12,03%…”

“…Os principais fatores referidos por MdG como motivos para a parada da amamentação foram: oferta inadequada de leite materno (12,34,35); falta de desejo materno para amamentar (12,34); acreditar que a amamentação toma muito tempo ou é muito desgastante (12,34); doenças maternas ou problemas relacionados às mamas e mamilos (34); doenças dos lactentes ou comportamento inadequado dos lactentes (34 aleitamento materno relatadas em recém-nascidos gêmeos é de 80,0% (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15), e a média das taxas de aleitamento exclusivo é de 22,6% (10)(11)(12)(13)17). Após seis meses de vida dos lactentes, a média das taxas de aleitamento materno total em gêmeos é de 34,13% (9,11,12,14,17), enquanto a média das taxas de aleitamento exclusivo é de 12,03% (11,14,17 …”