Is Infant birth weight and mothers perceived birth size associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana?

Abstract

Introduction Despite widespread advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding, and the associated benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both infants and mothers, there is low prevalence in both developed and developing countries. Additionally, although several studies have been conducted on exclusive breastfeeding, very few of such studies have linked birth weight and birth size to exclusive breastfeeding. This study seeks to examine the influence of birth weight and birth size on exclusive breastfeeding. Methodology This study adopted a sequential explanatory mixed method approach using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative approach used cross-sectional data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) and the qualitative data from interviews with exclusive breastfeeding mothers from two health facilities in La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly in Accra, Ghana. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine whether infants birth weight and mothers perceived birth size are associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding while the qualitative data provided further insights into the findings from the quantitative analysis. Results Majority (85%) of the infants in the study were of normal birth weight while 52% of the infants were perceived by their mothers to be of small birth size. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was found to be 54.8%. The birth weight of infants and mothers’ perceived birth size were found to be significant predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Infants of normal birth weight (OR = 7.532; 95% CI: 2.171–26.132) and high birth weight (OR = 6.654; 95% CI: 1.477–29.978) were more likely to be exclusively breastfed compared to low-birth-weight infants. Similarly, infants perceived to be of normal birth size were more likely (OR = 1.908; 95% CI: 1.058–3.441) to be exclusively breastfed compared to infants perceived to be of small birth size. The findings from the qualitative analysis show that birth weight rather than birth size influence mothers’ decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion The findings of the study underscore the relevance of infant birth weight and perceived birth size in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and highlights the need to incorporate both actual measurement of birth weight, and perception of infant’s birth size into policies targeted at exclusive breastfeeding. There is the need for deliberate targeted efforts at women who deliver infants of low birth weight and women who perceive their children to be of small birth size to practice exclusive breastfeeding.

Factors impairing exclusive breastfeeding initiation in women who received labor neuraxial analgesia: A single-center retrospective observational study in Japan

“…Oxytocin use and vacuum extraction delivery as mother-related factors and lower birthweight as an infant-related factor were identi ed as signi cant predictors of impairment of exclusive breastfeeding in our study. Birthweight was reported in a previous study to be an important predictor of exclusive breastfeeding after caesarean section and vaginal delivery [14]. Infant breast milk energy intake was shown to be positively associated with birthweight [15].…”

Sociocultural context of exclusive breastfeeding in Africa: A narrative review

“… 7 EBF was found to be difficult when the infant is admitted in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where replacement feed is usually introduced, 7 or when the infant has a low birth weight. 50 Low birth weight, without neonatal illness, did influence EBF negatively in Ghana. Mother's perception of the baby's birth size also influenced the practice of EBF.…”

“…Low birth weight, without neonatal illness, did influence EBF negatively in Ghana. Mother's perception of the baby's birth size also influenced the practice of EBF 50 …”

Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration in Greece: Data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey

“…Similarly with preterm infants, breastfeeding of low birthweight infants presents several challenges due to maternal and infant physiology, psychology, and their environment [ 35 ]. Among others, mothers of low-birth-weight infants often worry about the adequacy of their milk supply and they ultimately introduce unwarranted infant feeding formulas [ 39 ]. Currently, WHO guidelines and implementation guidance, state that all infants, including small, sick and/or preterm infants, should be fed human milk [ 35 ].…”