Breastfeeding Difficulties and Risk for Early Breastfeeding Cessation

Abstract

Although breast milk is the normative feeding for infants, breastfeeding rates are lower than recommended. We investigated breastfeeding difficulties experienced by mothers in the first months after delivery and their association with early breastfeeding discontinuation. We conducted a prospective observational study. Mothers breastfeeding singleton healthy term newborns at hospital discharge were enrolled and, at three months post-delivery, were administered a questionnaire on their breastfeeding experience. Association among neonatal/maternal characteristics, breastfeeding difficulties and support after hospital discharge, and type of feeding at three months was assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. We enrolled 792 mothers, 552 completed the study. Around 70.3% of mothers experienced breastfeeding difficulties, reporting cracked nipples, perception of insufficient amount of milk, pain, and fatigue. Difficulties occurred mostly within the first month. Half of mothers with breastfeeding issues felt well-supported by health professionals. Maternal perception of not having a sufficient amount of milk, infant’s failure to thrive, mastitis, and the return to work were associated with a higher risk of non-exclusive breastfeeding at three months whereas vaginal delivery and breastfeeding support after hospital discharge were associated with a decreased risk. These results underline the importance of continued, tailored professional breastfeeding support.

Post-breastfeeding stress response and breastfeeding self-efficacy as modifiable predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum: a longitudinal study

“…In multiparas, absence of breast complications at 1 month postpartum was associated with subsequent exclusive breastfeeding. Although this association supported previous studies [34,35], we did not ascertain the reason why it was observed only in multiparas. In general, primiparas experienced more breast complications than multiparas [36], as observed in the present study.…”

“…Women with lower breastfeeding selfe cacy were also reportedly more likely to perceive milk insu ciency [9,29]. Such a perception has been described as a factor related to cessation of exclusive breastfeeding [30]. The perception of milk insu ciency itself was not assessed in our study because this concept was supposed to be contained in questions of the BSES-SF.…”

<p>Impact of Intraoperative Infusion and Postoperative PCIA of Dexmedetomidine on Early Breastfeeding After Elective Cesarean Section: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial</p>

“…Nevertheless, inadequate breast milk supply and maternal loss of feeding initiative due to pain, poor perinatal mood or even work can delay early breastfeeding. [5][6][7] Despite perinatal support such as home care, gynecologists, nurses and lactation consultants, the early stages of breastfeeding are still much more difficult than previously thought.…”

The Effectiveness of Laid-back Position on Lactation Related Nipple problems and comfort: A meta-analysis

“…Poor breastfeeding position may have an effect on the mother's wellbeing and exacerbate issues through a negative impact on the infant's positioning, latch and duration of breastfeeding events [6]. According to a study [7], around 70.3% of mothers experienced breastfeeding di culties, including cracked nipples, perception of insu cient amount of milk, pain, and fatigue. And it was painful for many respondents to hold their infant to breastfeed, pick up their infant, and sit comfortably to breastfeed.…”