Factors Influencing Milk Insufficiency and its Long-Term Health Effects: The Bedouin Infant Feeding Study

Abstract

Women who breastfeed have frequently reported milk insufficiency as the reason for introducing the bottle, but no one has addressed its potential long-term health effects. This paper described the factors associated with milk insufficiency versus another reason for introducing the bottle and its potential health effects based on an analysis of a prospective cohort study of 1005 Bedouin Arab women who delivered healthy newborns in 1981 and 1982. By two months postpartum, 72% introduced the infant to the bottle with 72% reporting milk insufficiency as the reason for introducing the bottle. The percentage of milk insufficiency declined with increasing age of the infant. Based on multiple logistic regression analyses, birth season was statistically significantly associated with the odds ratio (OR) of milk insufficiency versus another reason for introducing the bottle during the first two months. Women who delivered in the spring-summer had an increased OR = 1.65 of reported milk insufficiency compared with those who delivered during the rest of the year. Parity was directly related to the OR = 1.04 of milk insufficiency (but just missed significance) during one to two months and was statistically significantly associated with the OR = 1.12 of reported milk insufficiency during 3-18 months. The rates of stunting after the infant was introduced to the bottle and the duration of breastfeeding did not differ by reason for introducing the bottle. Thus the high frequency of reported milk insufficiency was not associated with adverse health effects.

Breastfeeding and the introduction of solids in Australian infants: data from the 2001 National Health Survey

“…11 In most countries of the world, the most common reason women give for stopping breastfeeding is that they do not have enough breast milk. 14 Perceived insufficient milk has been repor ted by 27% to 63% women during the f irst four months postpartum across cultural and socio-economic g roups 15 and in developed and developing countries. 16 Powers' review of this topic concludes that "a perception of low milk supply is rooted in a lack of infor mation or lack of confidence regarding the normal process of lactation".…”

Potential Role for Growth Hormone in Human Lactation Insufficiency

“…These latter women present enormous problems to the health professional trying to help them achieve normal lactation. Our study has not addressed the prevalence of true lactation insufficiency but others have suggested that this may occur in 5–15% of newly lactating mothers [9, 10]. …”

“Breastfeeding” by Feeding Expressed Mother’s Milk

“…20 This topic is discussed further below, but it is important to recognize that some mothers worry about milk supply when they notice what they perceive as a “small” volume of expressed milk, 21–24 and such milk supply concern can be a major risk factor for breastfeeding discontinuation. 22, 25–35 …”