Trends and Factors Associated with Breastfeeding and Infant Sleep Practices in Georgia

Abstract

Breastfeeding benefits both infant and mother, including reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To further reduce risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants sleep on their backs on a separate sleep surface. Our objective was to describe trends and factors associated with breastfeeding and infant sleep practices in Georgia. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2004-2013 data were obtained from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Chi square tests for trends were utilized to determine whether there were significant linear trends in breastfeeding and infant sleep overtime and by survey phase. After exclusions, 4643 cases remained for analysis. From 2004 to 2013, there was a slight (insignificant) decrease in breastfeeding initiation, with the highest proportion in 2010 (79.9%) and the lowest in 2013 (66.9%). Rates of exclusive breastfeeding increased significantly from 2004 (31.3%) to 2013 (81.7%). During that time, the proportion of infants being placed back to sleep slightly decreased (though not significantly), from 59.7 to 48.9%. The proportion of mothers who reported never bed-sharing increased significantly from 26.7 to 45.1% over this period. The decreasing breastfeeding initiation rates in Georgia diverge from national upward trends, however, exclusive breastfeeding rates by survey phase were slightly higher than national trends. Our results suggest the need for targeted education and support for breastfeeding and safe sleep practices. State-level trends data on breastfeeding and infant sleep practices provide valuable information for state-level public health professionals and policy makers, health care providers, and breastfeeding and safe sleep advocates.

A Statewide Hospital-Based Safe Infant Sleep Initiative: Measurement of Parental Knowledge and Behavior

“…[ 21 ] Very poorly 1 (0.2) – Poorly 7 (1.7) – Somewhat well 97 (23.1) – Well 154 (36.7) – Very well 145 (34.5) – My baby lets me get a reasonable amount of sleep [ 21 ] 333 (79.3) – How often does your baby cry? [ 21 ] Never 4 (1.0) – Hardly ever 82 (19.5) – Sometimes 241 (57.4) – Often 66 (15.7) – Very often 9 (2.1) – Breastfeed d 386 (91.9) 70.5 p < 0.001 a Population data were obtained from DPH for all mothers giving birth in 2016 b Population data were obtained from DPH for all births during the study period c Population data were obtained from Salm Ward et al [ 34 ] d Population data were obtained from Salm Ward et al [ 24 ] …”

“… a Population data were obtained from DPH for all mothers giving birth in 2016 b Population data were obtained from DPH for all births during the study period c Population data were obtained from Salm Ward et al [ 34 ] d Population data were obtained from Salm Ward et al [ 24 ] …”

“…Regarding the practice of the recommended sleep position, 89% of respondents in our sample reported usually placing their newborn on his or her back to sleep. This rate is substantially higher than the 48.9% of respondents who reported usually practicing “back to sleep” in the 2013 Georgia PRAMS survey, which was conducted prior to this Hospital Initiative among caregivers of infants 2–6 months old [ 24 ]. This rate is also higher than the 72.6% reported in the National Infant Sleep Position Study (NISP) and the 77.3% reported in a recent national sample [ 3 , 25 ].…”

“…Twenty-four percent (24%) of our sample indicated that their infant usually slept in an adult bed, while 32.1% of Georgia PRAMS respondents reported usually sharing a sleep surface with their infant in 2013 [ 24 ]. We found that parents who reported that the infant’s crib was in their room (room sharing) were twice as likely to also report that the infant sleeps in an adult bed.…”

Telelactation with a Mobile App: User Profile and Most Common Queries

“…The critical issues that stand out are related to the "baby's sleep", a topic that different authors note as important in relation to the establishment and maintenance of BF 30 . Also noteworthy is the lack of training that health professionals have regarding safe sleeping and its importance, both in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and with the maintenance of BF [31][32][33] . Another topic to highlight is the "preservation of milk" 34 because it is closely related to the duration of maternity leave and the return to work of the mother, agreeing with different authors that the completion of maternal leave and reinsertion of the mother into paid work is an important issue related to stopping BF [35][36][37] .…”