Breastfeeding Behavior Among Adolescents: Initiation, Duration, and Exclusivity

Abstract

Purpose Despite a substantial amount of evidence on breastfeeding among non-adolescent mothers, research and strategies uniquely designed to target adolescent mothers are critical as their rates of breastfeeding are disproportionately low and their transition to parenthood is often unlike that of older mothers. Literature to date, however, offers limited evidence for designing effective interventions. Therefore, we aim to fill this gap in the literature by examining breastfeeding behaviors among a cohort of female adolescents as they transition to parenthood. Methods Data are derived from a longitudinal cohort of pregnant adolescent females (ages 14-21) and their male partners followed from pregnancy through 6 months postpartum. Means and frequencies were used to describe breastfeeding experiences, breastfeeding behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors independently associated with breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and breastfeeding duration. Results Approximately 71% initiated breastfeeding. Intending to breastfeed, having had complications in labor and delivery, and lower social support were associated with greater odds of breastfeeding initiation. Of the adolescent mothers who initiated breastfeeding, 84% had stopped by 6 months postpartum and among those, average breastfeeding duration was 5 weeks. Participants who exclusively breastfed had longer breastfeeding duration, and participants who had experienced intimate partner violence had shorter breastfeeding duration. Obese women and women who had more difficulty breastfeeding had lower odds of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions Enhanced clinical support and the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding should be considered when designing interventions to improve breastfeeding rates among adolescent mothers.

The Breastfeeding in Adolescent Mothers

“…17,20,21,22,23,24 Adölesan Annelerde Emzirme Oranları Tüm ülkelerde, adölesan annelerin emzirmeye başlama ve emzirmeyi devam ettirme oranı, yetişkin annelere göre daha düşüktür ve birçok adölesan 6 haftadan daha az süre emzirmeyi devam ettirmektedir. 17,25,26,27 Amerika'da (2014) yayınlanan emzirme raporunda, genel emzirme oranı %79,2, ilk 6 ayda sadece anne sütü verme oranı ise %18,8 olarak belirtilmiştir. 28 Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2011 raporuna göre ise, 20 yaş ve altındaki annelerin yalnızca %19,3'ü, 20-29 yaş arasındaki kadınların %36,4'ü, 30 yaş ve üzeri kadınların ise %45'i 3 ay boyunca sadece anne sütü vermektedir.…”

“…Brezilya'da yapılan çalışmalarda, kendi anneleriyle birlikte yaşayan adölesanlarda, sadece anne sütü verme süresinin azaldığı gösterilmiştir. 61 26 tarafından yapılan çalışmada, eşinden şiddet gören adölesan annelerin daha kısa süre emzirdiği belirtilmiştir. 26 Üniversite öğrencileri ile yapılan başka bir çalışmada da, erkeklerin kız öğrencilere göre emzirme konusunda daha az bilgili olduğu ve emzirme konusunda negatif bir tutuma sahip olduğu bulunmuştur.…”

“…61 26 tarafından yapılan çalışmada, eşinden şiddet gören adölesan annelerin daha kısa süre emzirdiği belirtilmiştir. 26 Üniversite öğrencileri ile yapılan başka bir çalışmada da, erkeklerin kız öğrencilere göre emzirme konusunda daha az bilgili olduğu ve emzirme konusunda negatif bir tutuma sahip olduğu bulunmuştur. Öğrenciler branşlarına göre incelendiğinde ise, sağlıkla ilgili branşlarda olan öğrencilerin bilgi düzeyinin yüksek olduğu ancak emzirme tutumlarının farklılık göstermediği bildirilmiştir.…”

Which factors influence women in the decision to breastfeed?

“…20 Moreover, data demonstrated that first pregnant mothers were cited as more likely to breastfeed than multiparas. 16,25 In primiparas, intend to breastfeeding was related to prenatal care by obstetrician professional and not cesarean section and in multiparous, was associated with not performing cesarean, the mother have the baby in contact with immediately after birth and residence in rooming for two days or less.…”

Changes in breastfeeding initiation at hospital discharge between first and second births in Nova Scotia: a population-based cohort study

“…6 Numerous studies have been conducted to identify factors associated with breastfeeding initiation. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Factors found to be associated with breastfeeding initiation included increasing maternal age, 7 exclusive prenatal care by midwives, 7 continued support from professionals such as lactation consultants and peers, 9,10 sociodemographic factors such as higher levels of education, married or common-law status 17 and higher household incomes. 13 Factors associated with lower rates of breastfeeding initiation were multiple births, preterm birth, not attending antenatal classes, 6 having a high body mass index (BMI) 9,10 and being an adolescent parent.…”