Exclusive breastfeeding practices reported by mothers and the introduction of additional liquids

Sociocultural context of exclusive breastfeeding in Africa: A narrative review

Background and Aims

Although exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has many benefits, it is not commonly practiced in several countries as a result of context-specific challenges. EBF practice is thus a global health discourse because over 200 million children suffer from malnutrition despite the abundance of human milk. The risk of starvation remains very high among African children with less than 40% of them exclusively breastfed. In Africa, the adoption or nonadherence to EBF is a sociocultural issue. Hence, this narrative review examined the sociocultural context of EBF in the region.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched using keywords related to EBF and Africa. Relevant data from selected studies were synthesized narratively and reported using a structured narrative format.

Results

EBF is strongly rooted in every culture and is a culturally determined behavior. Some believe that colostrum is dirty and harmful to newborns and, thus, needs to be purified. Despite the belief that human milk is the best food for babies, mothers often complement human milk with other foods right from birth because of perceived lactation inadequacy. Most African mothers believe in prelacteal feeding to help cleanse the infant's gastrointestinal tract for digestion, quench thirst, flush the bladder and help the mother to rest after childbirth before breastfeeding (BF) is initiated. The role of significant others was equally found important in the decision and duration of BF. The availability of family support (especially from grandmothers and husbands) reportedly encouraged EBF in Africa. The duration and exclusivity of BF in Africa are negatively associated with demographic variables like young age, low level of education, being unmarried, low income, out of employment, and parity (first-time mother).

Conclusion

While there have been some efforts and policies to improve EBF, it is important to consider context-specific challenges and sociocultural factors. There is a need for more deliberate efforts to encourage mothers through the implementation of effective best practices concerning EBF in Africa.

Prevalence and association of early onset severe hyperbilirubinemia in newborn in the East China region: Retrospective medical record analyses

Research on the prevalence and association of hyperbilirubinemia is controversial because of different cultures, demographics, and clinical conditions. The etiology of hyperbilirubinemia is affected by the environment and other factors in the newborn. The World Health Organization recommended a 1-day hospital stay after uncomplicated delivery, jaundice assessment before discharge, and screening on 3rd and 7th days after birth for hyperbilirubinemia. However, the implementation of these recommendations is difficult in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and association of early onset severe hyperbilirubinemia in newborns in East China. Retrospective medical record analyses for 250 cesarean sections or vaginal deliveries, ≥2 kg body weight, and negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen by birth newborns were performed. A biochemical analyzer, quantitative assay, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate total serum bilirubin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, and gene variant phenotyping, respectively. A total in 33 (13%) newborns were reported with early onset severe hyperbilirubinemia (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, total serum bilirubin ≥ 342 μmol/L within 6 hours of birth). All newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia were hospitalized and underwent phototherapy. The mothers of all newborns had a gestational age ≥ 35 weeks. Hospitalization included artificial feeding, and breastfeeding was rare (P < .0001). ABO incompatibility ("O" blood type for mother and either "A" or "AB" or "B" blood type for newborn, P = .0411), G6PD deficiency (G6PD/6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase ≤ 1.0 in quantitative assay, P = .0422), Rh incompatibility (the mother's blood type was Rh negative and newborn blood type was Rh positive, P = .0416), fewer genotype rs4149056 frequencies (P = .0452), higher genotype rs2306283 frequencies (P = .0461), and higher genotype rs1805173 frequencies (P = .0471) were independent parameter for early onset severe hyperbilirubinemia of newborns. The prevalence of early onset severe hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese newborns is 13% in the East China region. Blood incompatibility, G6PD deficiency, fewer genotype rs4149056 frequencies, higher genotype rs2306283 frequencies, and higher genotype rs1805173 frequencies were independent predictors of early onset severe hyperbilirubinemia among newborns in the East China region (Level of Evidence: IV; Technical Efficacy: Stage 5).

Motherhood among Black women living with HIV: A "north-south" comparison of sociocultural and psychological factors

We compared factors mediating motherhood experiences among Black nursing mothers living with HIV in two North American cities to one African city. Motherhood was measured with the Being a Mother Scale, and we compared their predictors between the two continents using difference in difference estimation within hierarchical linear modeling. Cultural beliefs congruent with infant feeding guidelines and social support had significant positive but differing effects on motherhood in the two continents. Perceived stress had significant negative impact on motherhood in the two continents. Due considerations to sociocultural contexts in policy development, HIV interventions and education of health care providers were recommended.

Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Maternity Hospital Reference in Humanized Birth

OBJECTIVE

 To analyze the factors associated with the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for up to six months in mother/infant binomials cared for at a usual-risk maternity hospital.

METHODS

 The present is a descriptive, longitudinal, prospective, quantitative study. Socioeconomic, obstetric and perinatal variables from 101 mother/infant binomials in a Public Maternity Hospital in the city of Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil, were investigated during hospitalization after delivery and 6 months after birth. For the statistical analysis, the Chi-squared test was used. The variables that showed values of p < 0.25 for the Chi-squared test were also submitted to an odds ratio (OR) analysis.

RESULTS

 The prevalence (42.6%) of EBF was observed. Most women (93.1%) had had more than 6 prenatal consultations, and the variables maternity leave and support to breastfeeding were associated with EBF. Support to breastfeeding by professionals and family members increased 4-fold the chance of maintenance of EBF (OR = 0.232; 95% confidence intercal [95%CI]: 0.079 to 0.679; p = 0.008). Cracked nipples were the biggest obstacle to breastfeeding, and low milk production was the main responsible factor for weaning.

CONCLUSION

 The encouragement of breastfeeding and the mother's stay for a longer period with the child contributed to the maintenance of EBF until the sixth month of life of the infant.

Compliance of mothers' breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices with WHO recommendations in Turkey

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate how breastfeeding and complementary nutrition practices of mothers of 0-24-month-old children comply with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for infant and young child feeding and to compare the results with selected demographic parameters related to the mother and child.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The research sample comprised mothers (n = 250) with children less than 2 years old. Data were obtained via questionnaire and were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 package program. The Pearson χ2 or Fisher's exact tests were used for assessing relationships between categorical variables. The one-sample t-test was used for comparisons with reference values.

RESULTS

Most mothers (97.2%) breastfed their babies immediately after birth. The mean time to breastfeeding after delivery was 47.8 ± 14.8 minutes, and 40.8% of the mothers complied with the WHO recommendation. Furthermore, 59.8% of the mothers exclusively breastfed their children for 6 months (mean 5.2 ± 1.5 months). The mean duration to the start of providing complementary food was 5.8 ± 0.6 months, and 76.1% of mothers who complied with the WHO recommendation. Only 12.3% of mothers breastfed their children for at least 12 months (mean 7.7 ± 3.3 months). On average, mothers gave cow milk to their children for the first time at 10.1 ± 1.7 months and honey at 11.8 ± 2.3 months. The mothers' rates of compliance with the WHO recommendations on cow milk and honey feeding were 32.0% and 71.6%, respectively. The rate of mothers who complied with the WHO minimum meal frequency recommendation was 88.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the WHO recommendations on this subject will be realized more fully by emphasizing the importance of the positive effects of breastfeeding until the age of 2 years and of a timely start of complementary food provision. Such changes will affect child health over the long term.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of grandmothers related to breastfeeding: a meta-synthesis

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of grandmothers that support or discourage the breastfeeding process.

METHOD

This is a meta-synthesis based on the theoretical and methodological framework of meta-ethnography developed by Noblit and Hare. A critical evaluation of the articles was conducted using the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (Coreq). Primary and secondary constructs derived from the results of nine articles were grouped into a new theory, leading to tertiary constructs that were presented in a diagram based on the functionality of Sanicola's Social Network Theory.

RESULTS

Grandmothers know the benefits of breastfeeding, the importance of a special diet and proper hydration for the production of good quality milk, but report inadequacies in the treatment of breast complications and the need for breast milk complementation before the sixth month of life. These aspects were also observed: religious interference, opposition of ideas about breastfeeding, and family decisions based on the grandmother figure.

CONCLUSION

Through knowledge, attitudes and practices, grandmothers, central figures in breastfeeding support, support their daughters and daughters-in-law in breastfeeding or discourage breastfeeding with contrary opinions and inadequate guidance.

Nurses' moral deliberation in the child care process

OBJECTIVE

To understand the nurses' moral deliberation in the face of an ethical problem involving breastfeeding.

METHOD

Qualitative study based on the methodological theoretical framework of deliberative bioethics. Data collection was through a vignette-based interview and results were organized by thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Nurses tend to take over intermediate courses of action, although extreme courses of action are found as well.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

When they tend to take extreme courses of action, nurses approach decisions focused on the child welfare to the detriment of the mother's need as a working woman.

Nutritional status of exclusive breastfed infants in the state of Pernambuco

INTRODUCTION

Exclusive breastfeeding (BF), after the sixth month of life, as a single food source is not recommended. It is believed that it is not possible to supply the caloric needs of protein, iron and vitamin without adequate food supplementation.

OBJECTIVE

To comparethe nutritional statusof children withexclusive breastfeeding(BF)for more than 6monthsversuschildren with otherbreastfeeding practices.

METHOD

Cross-sectionalexploratory studywith685children(39BF >6months and646with otherbreastfeeding practices).Situations ofanthropometricdeficit were considered by values< -2 in Z score, anemia evaluated by hemoglobin < 11 g/dL,and deficient/lowlevels ofvitamin A by serumretinol < 1.05 µmol/L.

RESULTS

There were nocases ofdeficitin the anthropometric ratios of weight/height, weight/age andbody mass index(BMI)among childrenBF > 6months,while the comparison group was approximately 0.5%. In theheight/ageratio,the deficitwasaround 2.6% in both groups.Inthe weight/height ratioand BMI,the resultsranged from28.7 to 31.9% foroverweight in group comparisson. TheaverageHb, serumretinol, weightand heightwere similarbetween thegroups.

DISCUSSION

The low prevalence (≤ 0.6%) of protein energy malnutrition in both groups represents a surprising finding, below the values found in reference to normal international reference, WHO standard.

CONCLUSION

Children who maintained BF after six months exhibited equivalent nutritional status to those of children with other breastfeeding practices.

Prevalence of nipple traumas and related factors among post-partum women assisted in a teaching hospital

Abstract Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of nipple traumas and to correlate this occurrence with socio-demographic and obstetric factors in a sample of assisted post-partum patients in a teaching hospital. Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative study of 320 post-partum patients assisted in the maternity from October 2015 to October 2016. Results: The prevalence of nipple trauma in the sample was 35.3%, and only previous experience with breastfeeding has behaved as a protective factor for trauma. No statistical associations were found with other variables. Conclusions and implications for practice: The data presented allowed us to delineate a profile of the post-partum patients assisted in a teaching hospital, as well as the characterization of the occurrence of nipple traumas. From this profile, guidelines can be established on the subject, both in the institution where the study was carried out and in other institutions, since from the literature, the need for this orientation in different contexts and institutions is identified.

Influence of grandmothers on exclusive breastfeeding: cross-sectional study

Objective

To evaluate the influence of grandmothers of infants on exclusive breastfeeding, from their perspective.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 91 women from a hospital in the inland state of São Paulo. By means of a questionnaire, the following data were collected: sociodemographic data of the grandmother, mother and child; duration of exclusive breastfeeding of daughter or daughter-in-law; information on kinship of participant and grandchild; kind of help provided by grandmother; and knowledge about breastfeeding.

Results

The prevalence of infants on exclusive breastfeeding at two months was 35.17%; a total of 67.3% of grandmothers considered it important to give food to babies before six months of life, and 54% considered relevant breastfeeding at regular intervals. Moreover, 40% believed in weak milk and were not aware of signs of sufficient breast milk. Of the grandmothers interviewed, 69% had already offered tea and water to their grandchildren. In the univariate analysis, the maternal grandmother was more involved and close to the pair mother and child.

Conclusion

The presence of grandmothers influences in exclusive breastfeeding.

Effect of the board game as educational technology on schoolchildren's knowledge on breastfeeding1

Objective:

to evaluate the effect of the board game as an educational technology on schoolchildren’s knowledge on breastfeeding.

Method:

cluster-randomized clinical trial, held in nine schools, with 99 children in the third grade of elementary school (control group = 51 and intervention group = 48). The pretest was conducted in both groups; intervention consisted in the application of the educational technology immediately after pretest to the intervention group; and the post-test was applied on the 7th and 30th days to both groups. For the analysis of children’s knowledge on breastfeeding, we considered the pre- and post-test score means, using the Mann-Whitney test - for comparing the means between groups - and the Wilcoxon test - within the same group.

Results:

there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the pretest. In the follow-up, when comparing the groups, there were higher means in the intervention group, on the 7th (19.68 ±1.788) and on the 30th (20.16±1.260) days, with statistically significant difference. Within the intervention group, there was significant increase of the means in the pretest (15.89±3.082) for the 30th day (20.16±1.260).

Conclusion:

such educational intervention has significantly contributed to the increase in scores of children’s knowledge on breastfeeding for the intervention group. UTN: U1111-1184-7386.

Breastfeeding experience of women after mammoplasty

OBJECTIVE

To describe and interpret the experience of breastfeeding among women who underwent mammoplasty surgery prior to motherhood.

METHOD

A descriptive, qualitative study developed with women attended at a Human Milk Bank between 2014 and 2015. Data analysis was based on the content analysis method and supported by the Interactive Theory of Breastfeeding.

RESULTS

13 women participated in the study. Four categories emerged: 1) Success (or lack thereof) in Exclusive Breastfeeding: influence of maternal and child biological conditions; 2) Maternal feelings: perception about breastfeeding; 3) Decision making on the continuity of breastfeeding or the use of formula; 4) The role of health professionals in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding: Information (or lack thereof) on the implications of the surgery.

CONCLUSION

Unfavorable biological conditions of the women who underwent mammoplasty generated unsuccessful experiences in exclusive breastfeeding and limited their decision-making, despite their desire to breastfeed.

ALIMENTAÇÃO DE CRIANÇAS NOS PRIMEIROS DOIS ANOS DE VIDA

Objective:

To analyze the prevalence of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary food for zero to 24-month-old infants.

Methods:

This is a population-based cross-sectional study of children aged less than 24 months in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected in 2015, by interviews with people in charge of infant care in the house. The questionnaire administered assessed the sociodemographic status of the family, maternal and infant characteristics and food consumption habits. Survival analysis was used to calculate median prevalence and duration of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary feeding.

Results:

With 180 days of life, 4.0% of the children were exclusively breastfed, 22.4% were mostly breastfed and 43.4% were fed breast milk as complementary food. In the third month of life, children were consuming water (56.8%), fruit juice or formula (15.5%) and cow’s milk (10.6%). At the age of 12 months, 31.1% were consuming artificial juice and 50.0% were eating candies. Before the age of 1 year, 25.0% of them had already eaten instant noodles.

Conclusions:

The introduction of drinks, honey, sugar and candies as complementary food was found to be premature; and solid and semi-solid foods were almost appropriate. The habits described can directly affect the success of breastfeeding. Given that the inadequate eating practices identified can compromise the infant’s health, actions that promote breastfeeding and provide guidance on the introduction of complementary foods are important.

The impact of maternal socio-demographic characteristics on breastfeeding knowledge and practices: An experience from Casablanca, Morocco

Background

Breastfeeding is universally recognized by the World Health Organization as the best way of feeding infants. Therefore, several countries have initiated health promotion interventions to support successful breastfeeding based on the factors influencing breastfeeding outcomes.

Objective

To examine the association between the knowledge of breastfeeding and maternal socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and to determine any impact on child nutritional status.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative methods was conducted with mothers of infants aged six- to twenty-four months. Data was collected by a semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face, in-depth interviews with mothers to get an insight into their breastfeeding perceptions and experiences. Educational achievement and occupational class were used as indicators of socio-demographic status. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements.

Results

A significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the mother's education (P < .001) and socio-economic status (P < .001) has been highlighted. A significant link was pointed out between breastfeeding and length-for-age Z score (LAZ) (P < .001), and weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) (P = .005). Moreover, a strong association was found between maternal employment and exclusive breastfeeding (P < .001).

Conclusions

Our findings shed some light on challenges faced by mothers, as well as an association between socio-demographic characteristics and practices for facilitating exclusive breastfeeding to guide the mothers in breastfeeding management.

FIRST POSTPARTUM HOME VISIT: A PROTECTIVE STRATEGY FOR EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING

Objective:

To investigate the influence of the first postpartum visit, family income, pacifier habit, number of siblings and birth weight on the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged one week up to six months.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through a survey, which included social and demographic characteristics of the families and the breastfeeding practice in children aged one week to six months, who received care at family health units in the municipality of Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, between December 2014 and February 2015. Prevalence ratio was used to indicate how many times the outcome prevalence was increased by the influence of the studied variables, as well as a binary logistic regression model for the analysis and reliability of the results.

Results:

The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 41.7%. Family income, pacifier habit, number of siblings and birth weight did not show statistical association with the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding. However, the absence of postpartum home visits adversely influenced the outcome (p=0.009). The children who received home visits had a higher chance of being exclusively breastfed for six months or more (PR 2.28, 95%CI 1.17-4.42). In the logistic regression, only the visit showed significance to estimate the probability of exclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusions:

The absence of postpartum home visits negatively influenced the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. This finding fills a gap in the knowledge of determinants of exclusive breastfeeding and may guide the planning of local strategies and actions to promote, protect and support exclusive breastfeeding.

Conhecimento de puérperas acerca do método anticoncepcional da lactação com amenorreia

Objetivo: verificar o conhecimento de puérperas acerca do método anticoncepcional da lactação com amenorreia (LAM). Materiais e métodos: pesquisa transversal, realizada com 278 puérperas internadas em alojamento conjunto de maternidade de referência de Fortaleza, Ceará, Nordeste do Brasil, de fevereiro a maio de 2012. Resultados: identificou-se que 131 (47,1 %) haviam ouvido falar sobre a LAM e, destas, 58 (44,3 %) declararam conhecê-la antes da gravidez e 56 (42,7 %) no pré-natal; 94 (71,6 %) puérperas desacreditavam na sua eficácia e 100 (76,3 %) desconheciam os critérios para uso seguro. A fonte de informações sobre o método para 43 (32,8 %) puérperas foi amigos, familiares ou conhecidos, ou seja, de modo informal, e 71 (54,1 %) não foram orientadas por profissionais da saúde. Conclusões: lacunas no conhecimento de puérperas geram baixo uso e uso incorreto da LAM; também se destaca o elevado percentual de puérperas sem orientações por parte de profissionais da saúde.