Correlates of breastfeeding duration in an urban cohort from Argentina

Abstract

Aim: To analyse factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding in a representative cohort of mothers and children, including socio‐demographic and cultural characteristics, breastfeeding antecedents, perinatal factors and perinatal healthcare practices. Methods: The study was conducted in the city of Cordoba, between 1993 and 1998. Mother‐child binomials from all public and private hospitals were asked to participate. Follow‐up consisted of home visits at 30 d, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 50 mo. Information was obtained on 650 healthy newborns. Cessation of breastfeeding during the first 24 mo of life was analysed using the Kaplan‐Meier method, and factors associated with weaning were studied using Cox's proportional risk regression. Results. The median duration of breastfeeding was 4 mo. Factors associated with weaning were: the introduction of artificial formulas within 30 d postpartum [relative risk (RR) = 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.82–2.82]; breastfeeding of a previous child for less than 6 mo (RR=1.64; 95% CI = 1.32–2.02); delay in the first mother‐child contact for over 90 min (RR=1.50; 95% CI = 1.17–1.93); mother's having completed primary or partially completed secondary education (RR= 1.40; 95% CI = 1.01–1.92) or completed secondary education or higher (RR= 1.59; 95% CI = 1.14–2.22); primiparous mother (RR= 1.39; 95% CI = 1.12–1.74) and; the mother recalling having been breastfed for less than 6 mo (RR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.01–1.61). Conclusions. The purpose of strategies to promote breastfeeding should be to eliminate inappropriate care practices, such as delay in the first mother‐child contact, as well as reducing the impact of other factors leading to the introduction of artificial milk. Moreover, mothers need more and better support from professionals and peers.

Vivências maternas associadas ao aleitamento materno exclusivo mais duradouro: um estudo etnográfico

“…É esperado que primíparas apresentem este tipo de sentimento diante da nova situação (10) . Assim, embora estejam mais propensas a iniciar o AM, acabam por mantê-lo por menor tempo, introduzindo precocemente alimentos complementares (11) . Isso pode ter contribuído para considerarem familiares e pessoas próximas os principais apoiadores em várias situações de cuidado com o bebê, porém, nem sempre facilitando com conselhos ou atitudes adequadas à boa prática da amamentação.…”

Aleitamento materno: fatores de influência na sua decisão e duração

“…A influência da paridade materna na decisão pelo tipo de aleitamento é um fator bastante discutível na literatura, com alguns estudos sugerindo que as primíparas, ao mesmo tempo que mais propensas a iniciar o aleitamento, costumam mantê-lo por menos tempo, introduzindo mais precocemente os alimentos complementares, parecendo haver para as multíparas uma forte correlação entre o modo como seus filhos anteriores foram amamentados e como este último o será 10,27 . Observou-se também que as mães desmamavam mais precocemente os primogênitos e mantinham o aleitamento materno tanto mais prolongado quanto maior o número de ordem da criança na família.…”

Factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding in Al-Hassa province, Saudi Arabia

“…Establishment of lactation within hours after birth may have important consequences on the biological and emotional health of the newborn [3]. It could reduce neonatal mortality [4] and is associated with longer duration of breastfeeding [5]. The mother also receives positive benefits due to release of oxytocin which causes uterine contraction and reduces maternal blood loss [6,7].…”