Maternal and Neonatal Factors Adversely Affecting Breastfeeding in the Perinatal Period

Abstract

Background: Despite its known advantages, breastfeeding rates are low world over. Large number of factors affect breastfeeding. This study was designed to detect maternal and neonatal factors that adversely affect breastfeeding in the perinatal period. Methods: A prospective, single-blinded study was conducted on randomly chosen mother-infant pairs in the maternity ward of a tertiary care service hospital. Only full term singletons born by normal vaginal delivery were studied. The B.R.E.A.S.T observation score and time spent by the infant at the mother's breast were primary outcome variables. Maternal age, gravida, para status and education level were recorded. Birth weight, sex, gestation age of the infant and time interval from birth to observation were also recorded. Initial univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis was performed using SPSS ver 7.5 software. Results: A total of 54 mother-infant pairs formed the study group; 19(35.2%) were primigravidas. Primigravidas status of the mother led to significantly lower scores (p<0.04; 95% CI 0.10 to 3.62) as did maternal age < 26 years (p<0.04; 95% CI 0.2. to 3.46) on univariate analysis. Low birth weight (<2500 g) was the only neonatal factor that significantly lowered breastfeeding scores (p<0.02;95%Cl 0.56 to 6.31). On multivariate analysis only primigravida status was significantly associated with lower scores (p<0.02). The alpha value of the study was 5% and the power was 74%. Time spent by infant on breast was not significantly different between primigravida and non-primigravida mothers. Conclusion: Primigravida status adversely affects breastfeeding scores; therefore counseling and support should be focused on this group. Extra care should also be taken to ensure adequate breastfeeding by younger mothers and in those with low birth weight infants. Larger studies with long-term follow up will be able to identify other factors and dertermine the effects of focused counseling and support in the perinatal period upon long-term breastfeeding rates. MJAFI 2005; 61 : 216-219

Psychometric and maternal sociodemographic assessment of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale - short form in a brazilian sample

“…This study found a significant correlation between BSES-SF scores and maternal age, which is consistent with previous reports that young maternal age adversely affects breastfeeding outcomes [26] . Interestingly, in our study, the rates of teenage pregnancy (age: 10-18 years old) was found to be 17%, that is near the official rates.…”

“…Several studies indicate that parity and previous experience to breastfeeding have influenced the breastfeeding status for subsequent children [26,31] . This was especially true when a previous positive experience, with prolonged breastfeeding afterwards [12] .…”

Why do mothers fail to breastfeed successfully? A descriptive study done at selected lactation management centres in Sri Lanka

“…This is similar to a hospital study done in India 15 . Undergoing instrumental delivery or caesarean section was significantly associated with BF status as evidenced by a meta-analysis which revealed that babies born by lower segment caesarean section were more likely to be fed with infant formula within the first three days 16 .…”

Issues related to breastfeeding in the first six months of life in an urban tertiary care hospital

“…24 According to a study by Narayan S, parity (primiparous) adversely affects breastfeeding scores. 25 The present study showed the decreasing trend of rate of exclusive breast feeding, similarly Suksham J et al also demonstrated that at the end of 1 st , 2 nd and 6 th week the proportion of infants receiving exclusive breast feeds decreased to 75.8% from 95%. 22 Rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months (56.4%) has been similar to study findings of NFHS-4 survey, where 54.9% of babies were exclusively breastfed for 6 months.…”