Breastfeeding: factors associated with the continuation of breastfeeding, the current situation in Japan, and recommendations for further research

Abstract

There are a number of research reports that address the various advantages that breastfeeding brings to mothers and children, as well as to families and society, and in addition to a number of physically positive effects, breastfeeding has an important role in terms of mental and psychological effects.Ninety-five % of mothers desire to breastfeed, which reflects social acceptance, but the actual breastfeeding rate of the first month after childbirth is 42%, which accounts for about a half of all mothers. Breastfeeding is a natural behavior, but it cannot be performed only by instinct, so mothers discontinue breastfeeding for various reasons. While these reasons for the discontinuation of breastfeeding have been studied in many countries, research regarding the usability of care to support breastfeeding is being conducted in other countries at a level that can be considered evidential, but not yet in Japan. In addition, the current situation is that breastfeeding is strongly promoted but the support provided remains inadequate for mothers who cannot breastfeed, regardless of whatever efforts they make. This article will review several factors associated with the continuation of breastfeeding and the current situation in Japan, with the intention of identifying desirable areas for further research.

Intervention based on BASNEF model increases exclusive breastfeeding in preterm infants in Iran: a randomized controlled trial

“…Many factors affect the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding, which include interventions during labour, medical disorders of mothers and children, anatomical anomalies of the breast, lack of skin to skin contact between a mother and her infant, mothers’ self-confidence, postpartum depression, employment, and social support [20, 21]. …”

Predictors of Continuation of Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First Six Months of Life

“…A number of studies have reported on demographic and psychosocial factors influencing intention or early termination of breastfeeding under the framework of behavioral theories. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Studies investigating the breastfeeding continuation behavior using theories [17][18][19] are more limited. Interventions to improve continuation of breastfeeding-hence the durationwill likely be strengthened by incorporating components of a behavioral theory, such as the theory of planned behavior.…”

Being breastfed in infancy and adult breast cancer risk among Japanese women

“…After around 1950, the mother's decision to breast-or bottle-feed might have been influenced by lifestyle and socioeconomic status. Although the relationships between socioeconomic indicators such as mother's income and educational level with feeding practice have never been investigated in Japan [41], the Survey on the Nutrition of Infants and Preschool Children in 1995 reported that working mothers tended to choose formula feeding [42]. Feeding practice is likely to have been related to lifestyle and socioeconomic status during the subjects' infancy.…”