Maintenance of Maternal Breastfeeding up to 6 Months: Predictive Models

The Effect of Hot Application Applied to the Breast with the Help of the Thera Pearl in the Postpartum Period on Mothers' Milk Perception and Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Breastfeeding difficulties are often present in the first weeks of the postpartum period, and various factors can cause a mother's early cessation of breastfeeding. Such factors include mothers' self-efficacy and perception of insufficient milk. This study aimed to examine the effect of a hot application on the breast with the help of the Thera Pearl in the postpartum period on milk perception and breastfeeding self-efficacy. This was a randomized controlled trial. This study was completed with 64 puerperal mothers, 31 of whom were control and 33 were experimental. A Personal Information Form, Breastfeeding Observation Form, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and Insufficient Milk Perception Scale were used to collect data. The average breastfeeding self-efficacy scale scores of the experimental group were 42.46 and 62, respectively, at the first and last follow-up, while the control group's mean scores were 57.42 and 47. The average scores of the experimental group on the insufficient milk perception scale were 19, 28, and 48, respectively, from the first to the last follow-up, while those of the control group were 28, 24, and 34, respectively. As a result, self-efficacy and milk perception are important factors affecting breastfeeding. In this study, we found that Thera Pearl application increased breastfeeding self-efficacy but did not affect milk perception.

Exploring Tandem Breastfeeding Motivations Via Self-Determination Theory: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study

BACKGROUND

Tandem breastfeeding is defined as a situation in which a mother continues breastfeeding her child through a subsequent pregnancy, including after the new baby is born. In some countries where motherhood may be delayed and the time between births may be reduced, support for the promotion of tandem breastfeeding is necessary to help mothers continue to breastfeed their eldest child and avoid early weaning. There is no existing research about mothers' motivations to breastfeed in tandem.

RESEARCH AIM

To explore the motivations of women to initiate and maintain tandem breastfeeding, based on their lived experience, framed within the self-determination theory.

METHODS

A prospective, cross-sectional, interpretive, phenomenological study was carried out through in-depth interviews with 15 mothers in Madrid, who had practiced tandem breastfeeding for more than 6 months, and whose weaning of their eldest child had occurred within the previous year. Convenience and snowball sampling were used. The data were analyzed using an established interpretive phenomenological analysis process.

RESULTS

Among the motivations for initiating tandem breastfeeding, the following themes were identified: "avoid wasting the effort invested," "desire such life experience," and "exercise the freedom to decide." The motivations for maintaining tandem breastfeeding were classified as "pass on parenting values" and "benefits of teamwork."

CONCLUSION

The participants based their motivation to tandem breastfeed to follow their freely chosen motherhood model. They discovered the advantages of its implementation, forming a team of themselves and their children, and healing their traumatic perinatal experiences.

Perceptions of Mothers about Support and Self-Efficacy in Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Study

Breastfeeding is a complex process influenced by different personal and social factors which will determine both the initiation and the resilience for its maintenance. The aim is to identify the beliefs and expectations of mothers concerning breastfeeding to determine the perception of their self-efficacy and the influence on the management of their babies' feeding. A qualitative study through semi-structured interviews was carried out. The sample size was defined by the saturation criteria. Twenty-two women participated, eleven were from an urban environment and eleven were from a rural environment. Mothers' knowledge of breastfeeding, their expectations of that process, their experience, and their strategies for overcoming problems associated with initiating, establishing, and continuing breastfeeding were influenced by the role of nurses and midwives in supporting their perception of self-efficacy. Likewise, maternity policies are important for the continuance of exclusive breastfeeding. This study shows the complexity of the initiation and establishment of breastfeeding and the existence of several social factors surrounding these moments. Furthermore, it demonstrates the importance and reference of nurses and midwives and the role of State maternity policies.

Abandono do aleitamento materno exclusivo em mães adolescentes: um estudo de coorte em serviços primários de saúde

Resumo Objetivo: analisar os fatores associados ao abandono do aleitamento materno exclusivo em mães adolescentes durante os primeiros seis meses de vida do bebê. Método: trata-se de um estudo de coorte com 105 mães adolescentes acompanhadas aos dois, quatro e seis meses de vida de seus filhos. Uma abordagem epidemiológica, apoiada por um paradigma positivista, foi adotada. As variáveis de exposição escolhidas foram aquelas diretamente relacionadas ao aleitamento materno e a condições sociodemográficas, familiares, maternas e infantis. Os dados usados foram coletados através de entrevistas e analisados por estatísticas bivariadas e multivariadas. A razão de risco (RR) foi calculada com um intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Os testes foram realizados, admitindo um erro tipo I de 5%. A confidencialidade dos dados foi garantida. Resultados: as incidências acumuladas de abandono do aleitamento materno exclusivo foram de 33,3%, 52,2% e 63,8%, aos dois, quatro e seis meses de vida dos bebês, respectivamente. As variáveis que permaneceram no modelo multivariado final foram percepção materna da qualidade de seu leite (HR=11,6; 95% IC 3,6-37,5), uso de chupeta (HR=1,9; 95% IC 1,2-3,3) e tempo de primeira sessão de aleitamento materno depois do nascimento (HR=1,4; 95% IC 0,5-12,9). Conclusão: a maior taxa de abandono ocorre antes do quarto mês de vida dos bebês. Mães adolescentes que julgaram seu leite como ruim e bebês que usam chupeta são fatores que favorecem o abandono do aleitamento materno exclusivo. A determinação dos fatores associados ao abandono do aleitamento materno pode permitir sua gestão oportuna, especialmente em populações mais vulneráveis.

Exclusive breastfeeding abandonment in adolescent mothers: a cohort study within health primary services

Abstract Objective: to analyze the factors associated with the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding in adolescent mothers during the first 6 months of the infant’s life. Method: this is a cohort study of 105 adolescent mothers followed at the child’s 2-, 4- and 6-months of age. The epidemiological approach was adopted, supported by the positivism paradigm. Exposure variables were those directly related to breastfeeding and sociodemographic, family, maternal and child conditions. Data were collected by interview and analyzed by bivariate and multivariate statistics. The Hazard Ratio (HR) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The tests were performed, admitting an error type I of 5%. The confidentiality of data was ensured. Results: the cumulative incidences of exclusive breastfeeding abandonment were 33.3%, 52.2% and 63.8%, at 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. The variables that remain in the final multivariate model were maternal perception of milk quality (HR=11.6; 95%CI 3.6-37.5), pacifier use (HR=1.9; 95%CI 1.2-3.3), and time of first breastfeeding session (HR=1.4; 95%CI 0.5-12.9). Conclusion: the highest abandonment rate occurs before the fourth month. A perception of having poor-quality milk by the adolescent mother and pacifier use are factors that favor the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding. Determining the factors associated with breastfeeding abandonment may allow their timely management, especially in more vulnerable populations.

Abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva en madres adolescentes: un estudio de cohorte en los servicios de atención primaria de salud

Resumen Objetivo: analizar los factores relacionados con el abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva en madres adolescentes durante los primeros seis meses de vida del bebé. Método: se trata de un estudio de cohorte de 105 madres adolescentes con un seguimiento a los dos, cuatro y seis meses de vida de sus hijos Se adoptó un enfoque epidemiológico, basado en un paradigma positivista. Las variables de exposición escogidas fueron aquellas directamente relacionadas con la lactancia materna y con las condiciones sociodemográficas, familiares, maternas e infantiles. Los datos utilizados fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas y analizados por estadística bivariada y multivariada. El riesgo relativo (RR) se calculó con un intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC 95%). Las pruebas se realizaron asumiendo un error tipo I del 5%. Se garantizó la confidencialidad de los datos. Resultados: las incidencias acumuladas de abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva fueron del 33,3%, 52,2% y 63,8%, a los dos, cuatro y seis meses de vida de los bebés, respectivamente. Las variables que permanecieron en el modelo final multivariado fueron la percepción materna de la calidad de su leche (HR=11,6; IC 95% 3,6-37,5), uso de chupete (HR=1,9; IC 95% 1, 2-3,3) y momento de la primera lactancia (HR=1,4; IC 95% 0,5-12,9). Conclusión: la mayor tasa de abandono de LME se manifiesta antes del cuarto mes de vida de los bebés. Las madres adolescentes que perciben su leche inadecuada y los bebés que usan chupete son factores que favorecen el abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva. Determinar las causas relacionadas con el abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva pueden permitir su adecuada gestión, especialmente en poblaciones más vulnerables.

Declared Reasons for Cessation of Breastfeeding during the First Year of Life: An Analysis Based on a Cohort Study in Northern Spain

Background: Breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant feeding due to the many advantages it offers to both the child and the mother. Objective: To identity the main reasons for cessation of breastfeeding reported by mothers during the first year of life. Design: A prospective cohort study was conducted, recruiting 970 infants from a university hospital in Spain. The main maternal variables studied were maternal age, parity, educational level, work occupation, smoking habit, weeks of gestation at birth, birth weight, feeding type, and duration of breastfeeding. All participants were followed for one year to determinate the duration of breastfeeding and to gather reasons for abandoning breastfeeding. Results: At six months, the percentage of breastfeeding experienced a decline of 50%, and only 24.5% of these mothers maintained breastfeeding. Up to 15.8% of the mothers decided to give up exclusive breastfeeding by their own choice, whereas 15.4% did so because they suspected low milk production. Work-related causes represent the third reason of abandonment. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need to improve the health policies for the promotion, protection, and support for the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. In particular, our results highlight the importance of researching women’s low milk production and work-related factors, with particular emphasis on improving conciliation measures.