Prevalence and duration of breastfeeding during the first six months of life: factors affecting an early cessation

Abstract

RiassuntoOBIETTIVI: valutare durata media e prevalenza dell'allattamento al seno nei primi sei mesi di vita in neonati sani nati a termine e individuare le possibili cause responsabili della precoce sospensione. METODI: studio osservazionale, prospettico. Sono state arruolate 100 donne non fumatrici, di razza caucasica, intenzionate ad allattare per almeno 12 settimane. La raccolta dati è avvenuta tramite 3 questionari (somministrati all'arruolamento, 7 giorni, 1, 2, 3 e 6 mesi), volti a indagare parametri antropometrici, modalità di parto, condizioni socio-demografiche, tipo e modalità di allattamento, cause di eventuale sospensione. RISULTATI: l'allattamento esclusivo al seno si riduce progressivamente dal settimo giorno al sesto mese di vita. La maggioranza delle interruzioni avviene nel primo mese e mezzo e dopo tre mesi e mezzo di vita. A 7 giorni la percentuale di sospensione è il 2%, a 6 mesi il 14%. La sospensione cumulativa al sesto mese di vita è del 45%. Nei primi 7 giorni di vita la sospensione dell'allattamento sembra principalmente secondaria a fattori materni (insorgenza di ragadi o assenza/ritardo della montata lattea). Nei mesi successivi le cause più significative sono la mancanza di quantità di latte materno sufficienti e la difficoltà nell'attacco al seno. Le variabili significativamente associate ad una maggiore durata dell'allattamento sono la frequentazione del corso pre-parto e una precedente esperienza positiva di allattamento al seno. CONCLUSIONI: Un adeguato supporto alle mamme, sia attraverso il corso pre-parto, sia con un opportuno sostegno nelle epoche successive al parto, sembrano essere i fattori maggiormente suscettibili di miglioramento. AbstractOBJECTIVES: to assess the mean duration, prevalence and reasons that lead to an early cessation of breastfeeding in a group of healthy term infants in the first six months of life. METHODS: prospective, observational study. One-hundred Caucasian, non smoking mothers, that intended to breastfeed for at least 12 weeks, were enrolled. Information on anthropometric parameters, type of delivery, socio-demographic characteristics, mode of feeding and reasons for stopping breastfeeding have been obtained through three different questionnaires (submitted at enrollment, on the 7th day, at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months). RESULTS: exclusive breastfeeding gradually decreased from the 7 th day to the 6 th month of life. Most of the mothers stopped breastfeeding during the first month and a half or after 3 months and a half. Two percent of the mothers stopped on the 7th day whereas at 6 months the percentage of cessation was 14%. The cumulative percentage of interruption at 6 th month was 45%. Maternal factors, like sore nipples or delayed onset of lactation, were the most frequent reasons that led to an early cessation, while during the following months inadequate breast milk and latch-on problems were predominant. On the other hand, attending a pre-natal course or having a previous successful breastfeeding experience were significantly associated with a long...

Breastfeeding Status and Effective Factors in 21 - 27 Months Iranian Infants

“…Our results consistent to another local study (2014) which showed 65.8% of Iranian mothers had breastfeeding in 4 first months but this rate decreased to 24 months [2]. Spears and Garbarino in their studies also revealed that the prevalence rate of the breastfeeding initiation rate was much more than breast feeding sustaining after 6 months or latter [17] [18].…”

Breastfeeding: Knowledge Degree Of Community Health Agents

“…Among the main difficulties encountered during breastfeeding, engorged breasts, nipple fissures, painful breasts [18,19], difficulty in latching, drying milk and rejection of the baby [19] are the most frequently reported by mothers.…”

“…Women's lack of knowledge about how to prevent or solve common problems at the start of breastfeeding and the unavailability of professionals in the UBS, who have an expanded vision that goes beyond clinical management and supports mothers [22], may be causes of breastfeed failure ,since a process of maternal suffering based on engorgement, fissures and the perception of hunger through the behavior of the newborn begins, which contributes to the early interruption of breastfeeding [18,23].…”

“…It is this professional who maintains the direct contact with the mothers and that should stimulate and guide the mothers and the family on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. In this sense, it is incumbent on it to contribute to prepare the pregnant woman for breastfeeding so that, in the postpartum period, the process of adapting the puerperium to breastfeeding is facilitated and relaxed, thus avoiding doubts, difficulties and possible complications; And also work on monitoring the child's growth and development [18,26,28]. Therefore, the importance of periodic and specific training in the area is emphasized, as a way to ensure the good performance of these activities by well-trained and well-prepared ACS.…”

Body Shape and Weight Loss as Motivators for Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation

“…Moreover, of those mothers who do choose to initiate breastfeeding, many encounter problems which can lead to early cessation. Such factors include the perception that their milk supply is inadequate (e.g., [ 7 ]), and concern over the infant’s nutrition and lack of weight gain [ 8 ]. Physical pain can also lead to early cessation (e.g., [ 8 ]) as can emotional distress, such as depression or stress, and resultant feelings that breastfeeding is interfering with bonding.…”