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Factors associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration in term healthy infants
Author(s) -
Kent Jacqueline Coral,
Perrella Sharon,
Williams Julie,
Nathan Elizabeth,
Fenwick Jennifer,
Hartmann Peter,
Geddes Donna
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.806.6
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , weaning , incidence (geometry) , breast milk , lactation , breast feeding , pediatrics , obstetrics , demography , pregnancy , physics , biochemistry , chemistry , sociology , biology , optics , genetics
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration in term healthy infants. Ninety‐two newborn infants were followed up over a 6 month period. Reasons for initiating and continuing breastfeeding and incidence of breastfeeding challenges were recorded. Chi square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare breastfeeding difficulties in the first 3 months between women still breastfeeding and those not at 6 months after discharge. Reasons for breastfeeding related to positive infant and maternal effects as well as moral reasons, with most women citing several. Positive infant effects were most frequently cited for initiating and continuing breastfeeding. Positive maternal effects were cited with increasing frequency, while moral reasons reduced in frequency over time. Incidence of breastfeeding difficulties reduced from 40% at 2 weeks to 34% at 3 months. Perceived low milk supply at 6 weeks (p = 0.005) and 3 months (p = 0.011) was significantly associated with not breastfeeding at 6 months. An understanding of the positive infant effects of breastfeeding contributes to women's motivation to breastfeed. Perceived low milk supply has an impact on early weaning, yet measures of breast milk production are not routinely made. Funded by Women and Infants Research Foundation and Western Australian Nurses Memorial Charitable Trust.