Pairs seen by lactation consultants and cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month

New Validated Tool to Diagnose Breastfeeding Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding behaviors and experiences exist on a continuum. What differentiates normal from dysfunctional is defined by frequency and severity. No current validated tool addresses the subjective experience of dyads with a predictive score that can be followed over time.

RESEARCH AIM

To create and validate a self-report tool to assess breastfeeding and evaluate its ability to predict risk of breastfeeding dysfunction.

METHODS

This study used a cross-sectional design to determine the validity of a novel instrument to assess breastfeeding dysfunction. We gave the initial questionnaire to 2085 breastfeeding dyads. We assessed content validity by comparison with other tools. We used exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation for concept identification and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. We employed logistic regression to assess the tool's ability to differentiate between normal breastfeeding and breastfeeding dysfunction.

RESULTS

Factor analysis mapped 17 questions to four concepts to create a score (FLIP; flow, latch, injury [to the nipple], and post-feed behavior). Internal consistency and reliability of the scores in these concepts were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.087 for all measures). A logistic regression model that controlled for infant age, with a breastfeeding dysfunction risk classification threshold of 60%, yielded a correct classification of 88.7%, with 93.1% sensitivity, 64.6% specificity, and a 6.5% false positive rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The FLIP score was determined to be a valid and reliable instrument for quantifying the severity of breastfeeding dysfunction in children under 1 year old. Further studies will assess its usefulness in the management of breastfeeding dysfunction.

Feeding practices and early weaning in the neonatal period: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe feeding practices and the risk factors for the mixed breastfeeding and early weaning in the neonatal period.

METHODS

Cohort study, which we collected socioeconomic, demographic, health care and feeding data from 415 mother/child binomials born in four public maternity hospitals in Natal/Brazil. They were followed-up at 48 hours, 7 and 28 days after birth. The association was established using Pearson's Chi-square test and Poisson's regression, after adjusting it to other variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mixed breastfeeding in the first 2 days was 47,2% and early weaning in 7 and 28 days was 8,4% and 16,2% in that order. The main reasons for mixed breastfeeding and early weaning were: colostrum deficiency (33.8%), difficulty in latching/sucking (23.5%) and "little milk" (70.0%). The use of formula/milk/porridge remained associated with maternal age ≤ 20 years (RR = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.47-0.86), age 20-29 years (RR = 0,70; 95%CI: 0,57-0,87), primiparity (RR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.11-1.60) and cesarean delivery (RR = 1.20; 95%CI: 1.00-1.45) at 2 days; absence of paternal support (RR = 4.98; 95%CI: 2.54-9.79) and pacifier use (RR = 3.21; 95%CI: 1.63-6.32) at 7 days; and only pacifier use (RR = 2.48; 95%CI: 1.53-4.02) at 28 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Early weaning was associated with maternal and health care factors, thus suggesting the need to readjust good practices and educational actions to achieve the exclusive offer to the maternal breast in the neonatal period.

Prevalence on the complement in offering food to newborns

Abstract Objectives: to identify the prevalence and determining factors of the complements in offering food to newborns. Methods: across-sectional study nested to a cohort study that assessed newborn care in four public maternity hospitals in Natal/Brazil. Sample was composed by 415 mothers and full-term newborns, with appropriate weight for gestational age and Apgar scores in 1st and 5th minutes ≥ 7. In order to analyze the determining factors, we used Poisson’s regression. Results: from 415 newborns, 51.3% received feeding complements (57.6% in the first hour of life), of which 92% was infant formula. Only 50.7% of those complement in offering food were prescribed by physicians. Colostrum deficiency was the main reason to be indicated (33.8%). Maternal age ≤ 20 years old (PR=0.64; CI95%=0.47-0.86) and between 2030 years old (PR=0.70; CI95%=0.57-0.87)comparing to women older than 30 were shown as protective factors, while being primiparous (PR=1.37; CI95%=1.11-1.60) and had cesarean section (PR=1.2; CI95%=1.00-1.45) as risk factors. Conclusion: maternal characteristics are associated with the complement in offering food to the newborn in the first hours of life. The high prevalence shows the need for interventions that minimize the inadequate offer of infant formula and promote exclusive breastfeeding before hospital discharge.

Sociodemographic and obstetric factors associated with the interruption of breastfeeding within 45 days postpartum - Maternar Cohort Study

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate and identify the prevalence of interruption of breastfeeding (BF) in the period of up to 45 days postpartum and the associated sociodemographic and obstetric factors. Methods: cohort of 622 puerperal women, selected between 2018 and 2019 in a reference maternity hospital in the South Brazil. Data collection was carried out in two phases, the first in the maternity hospital during hospitalization of the puerperal woman and the newborn and the second through a telephone call, which occurred 60 days after birth. Poisson regressions with robust variance were performed to identify the factors associated with interruption of BF in the first 45 days of life. The variables that presented p<0.20 in the crude analysis were included in the adjusted analysis. Results: the interruption of BF at 45 days was identified in 14% of the sample. Higher maternal age (PR= 0.46; CI95%= 0.22-0.93), eight years or less of education (PR= 2.11; CI95%= 1.05-4.25), support from the maternal grandmother (PR= 1.91; CI95%= 1.20-3.06) and receiving complement at the maternity hospital (PR= 1.53; CI95%= 1.04-2.25) were factors related to the interruption of BF in the 45-day postpartum period. Conclusion: maternal age ≥35 was a protective factor, and less education, the support of the maternal grandmother and receiving complement at the maternity hospital were predictors of early breastfeeding abandonment.