Which women breastfeed for 2 years or more?

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with continuation of breastfeeding for 2 years or more.Methods: This was a cohort study that followed 151 children recruited at the Hospital de Clínicas in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from birth until ages ranging from 3 to 5 years. Mothers were interviewed in person in the maternity unit, at 7 and 30 days after delivery, and when their children were from 3 to 5 years old. Interviews were also conducted at 60, 120 and 180 days, by telephone when possible, or during a home visit otherwise. Associations between the outcome (breastfeeding for 2 years or more) and explanatory variables were investigated using Poisson regression within a hierarchical model. Results:The following variables had positive associations with the outcome: mother staying at home with her child for the first 6 months [relative risk (RR) = 2.13; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.12-4.05]; not using a pacifier (RR = 2.45; 95%CI 1.58-3.81); and later introduction of water and/or teas and of other milks. Each extra day that these liquids were not introduced was associated with 0.5% and 0.1% greater probability of the child being breastfed beyond 2 years, respectively. Cohabitation with the child's father had a negative association with the outcome (RR = 0.61; 95%CI 0.37-0.99). Conclusions:Mothers staying at home with their children for the first 6 months of their lives, not cohabiting with a partner, not giving their children pacifiers and delaying introduction of water and/or teas and of other milks are characteristics and behaviors associated with continuation of breastfeeding for 2 years or more.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2012;88(1):67-73: Breastfeeding, weaning, feeding practices, infant nutrition. ResumoObjetivo: Identificar fatores associados à manutenção do aleitamento materno por 2 anos ou mais.Métodos: Estudo de coorte que acompanhou 151 crianças selecionadas no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, do nascimento até a idade de 3 a 5 anos. As mães foram entrevistadas pessoalmente na maternidade, aos 7 e 30 dias após o parto, e quando as crianças tinham entre 3 e 5 anos. As entrevistas aos 60, 120 e 180 dias de vida da criança foram feitas por contato telefônico, sempre que possível. Para testar as associações entre o desfecho (aleitamento materno por 2 anos ou mais) e as variáveis explicativas, utilizou-se regressão de Poisson seguindo modelo hierárquico. Resultados:Mostraram-se associados de forma positiva, com o desfecho: permanência da mãe em casa com a criança nos primeiros 6 meses de vida [risco relativo (RR) = 2,13; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) 1,12-4,05]; não uso de chupeta (RR = 2,45; IC95% 1,58-3,81); e introdução mais tardia de água e/ou chás e de outros leites na alimentação da criança. Para cada dia a mais sem a introdução desses líquidos, aumentava a probabilidade de a criança ser amamentada por 2 anos ou mais em 0,5% e 0,1%, respectivamente. Coabitação com o pai da criança mostrou associação negativa com o desfecho (RR = 0,61; IC95% 0,37-0,99). Conclusão:Mãe permanecer em casa co...

Breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond and its influence on child growth and development: a systematic review

“…In India, living in a rural area and maternal unemployment were found to be associated with longer breastfeeding duration 4 . In Brazil, mothers staying at home with their children during the first six months of life, not using a pacifier, and the later introduction of water, teas or other types of milk were variables associated with breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond 5 .…”

Aleitamento materno em crianças indígenas de dois municípios da Amazônia Ocidental Brasileira

“…It is known that this practice may be associated to early ablactation according to a cohort study conducted in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, which concluded that postponing the introduction of water and/or teas, as well as other types of milk, increased the chance of breastfeeding for over two years. (18) Regarding the feeding of the children older than six months it was verified that all of them were subject to supplemented breastfeeding, as were the infants in the Nawa and Nukini ethnicities.…”

Meanings attributed to breastfeeding in the first two years of life: a study with women from two municipalities in the Recôncavo Baiano region of Bahia, Brazil

“…The energy and nutrient content of breast milk is adequate for the physiological immaturity of the infant, and its ability to protect against gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases make breast milk the ideal food capable of meeting the nutritional needs of the infant, especially during the first months of life of the child and promote the child's full development 1, 3,5,7,31 . Some health professionals cite these biological factors and many contents disclosed by the media, making explicit the benefits of breastfeeding and evident the preventive aspects for the child 7,10,12 .…”