Postpartum Breastfeeding Practices and Attitudes in Parents: A Randomized Study to Evaluate the Effects of Individual and Group Breastfeeding Education of Mothers and Fathers

Background Antenatal breastfeeding training is defined as the provision of breastfeeding information during pregnancy, which can be given in various ways, such as individual training and group training. The inclusion of fathers in this educational approach is associated with the initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and duration of breastfeeding. However, studies involving fathers are limited. This randomized controlled study aimed to compare the effects of individual and group training given to parents and those of normal hospital practices on mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy and fathers' attitudes toward breastfeeding. Methods The study was conducted randomly in a training and research hospital between March 2014 and September 2014 and included 180 people. Of them, 90 were prospective mothers who were in the third trimester of their pregnancy and were living with their husbands and received service from the obstetrics outpatient clinic of the hospital. The expecting mothers and their husbands were randomly assigned to three groups: individual training, group training and control group. After randomization, prospective mothers and fathers in all groups received training. In the first week, sixth week, and fourth month after delivery, the mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding attitudes as well as the attitudes of the fathers' toward breastfeeding were evaluated. Results There were no differences between the groups in terms of variables such as age, education status, family type, breastfeeding education status, and mode of delivery. There were significant differences between the scores obtained from the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and its subscales in all three groups during the postpartum period (p <0.05). The highest scale scores were obtained at the postpartum fourth month in the individual training and control groups and at the postpartum sixth week in the group training group. There were differences between the scores obtained by the mothers and fathers during the postpartum process from the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (p<0.05). Conclusion The analysis of all the results indicates that breastfeeding education given to parents in the antenatal period increases their breastfeeding self-efficacy and provides them with a positive attitude toward breastfeeding. However, further research is needed to determine whether individual or group training contributes to the development of breastfeeding self-efficacy and attitudes.

Prelacteal and early formula feeding increase risk of infant hospitalisation: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the relationship between prelacteal feeding, early formula feeding and adverse health outcomes, especially hospitalisation during the first year of life.

DESIGN

Multicentre prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Six hospitals across three cities in Vietnam.

PATIENTS

A total of 2030 pregnant women were recruited at 24-28 weeks of gestation and followed up at hospital discharge, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post partum.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rates of infant hospitalisation, diarrhoea and lower respiratory tract infection during the first 12 months.

RESULTS

For the final complete sample (n=1709, 84%), about one-quarter of the infants experienced diarrhoea (25.5%) or were admitted to hospital with at least one episode (24.8%), and almost half (47.6%) the cohort contracted lower respiratory tract infection by 12 months. The prevalence of prelacteal feeding was high (56.5%) while formula feeding was common (79.5%) before hospital discharge, both of which increased the risks of adverse health outcomes particularly hospitalisation by approximately 1.5-fold, with adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.43 (1.09 to 1.88) and 1.48 (1.07 to 2.05), respectively for these infants by 12 months, when compared with others who were exclusively breast fed.

CONCLUSIONS

Prelacteal feeding and early formula feeding before hospital discharge are associated with higher risks of infection and hospital admission in Vietnamese infants. Support for exclusive breast feeding should be provided to mothers to avoid the adverse consequences of giving formula milk and prelateal foods.

Prevalent infant feeding practices among the mothers presenting at a tertiary care hospital in Garhwal Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, India

Introduction:

There is paucity of studies on infant feeding practices from the rural areas of garhwal Himalayas of the state of uttarakhand. The present study was designed to assess the infant feeding practices in Garhwal region. Infant feeding practices have significant implications on a child's health. Early nutritional status especially during the first year of life has been shown to have a significant effect on child health and development. Optimal infant feeding practices are crucial for nutritional status, growth, development, health, and ultimately the survival of infants and young children. The study of infant feeding practices is essential before formulation of any interventional programme.

Settings and Design:

A study was conducted in HNB Base Hospital and Teaching Institute with the aim to assess the infant feeding practices and the prevalence of malnutrition in the study population reporting at the hospital in garhwal region of uttarakhand.

Methods and Material:

This is an observational cross sectional study. 275 infants were included in the study. After taking informed consent, case study forms were filled by interviewing the infants' mothers. Weight, length and head circumference of each infant was also measured. The information thus obtained was compiled, tabulated and analysed statistically.

Results:

The study findings revealed that 46.4% infants in the age group 0-5 months were breastfed within 1 hour of birth. 52.8% infants aged 0-5 months of were exclusively breastfed. 33.6% infants in age group 0-5 months received prelacteal feeds. 53.12% infants in age group 6-8 months received solid, semi-solid or soft food, in addition to breast milk. 53.33% infants were partially or fully bottle fed. Age appropriate feeding was found in 56% infants. The percentage of wasting, stunting and underweight in 0-5 months was 33.6%,30.4% and 36.8% respectively . The percentage of wasting, stunting and underweight in 6-11 months was 28%, 26.5% and 30.7% respectively. There appeared to be an association between longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding and lower prevalence of stunting and underweight at 6 months of age.

Conclusions:

This study shows that undesirable infant feeding practices are still prevalent in the community. Lower prevalence of stunting and underweight was observed in infants with longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding. A comprehensive plan to address the problems in infant feeding should be formulated. Antenatal counselling of mothers should be done. Revitalization of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative(BHFI) in health facilities is recommended.

Supplemental feeding of captive neonatal koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are cautious animals, making supplemental feeding of neonates challenging because of disturbances to the normal routine. However, supplemental feeding is beneficial in improving juvenile nutrition using less formula than required for hand-rearing, and allowing maternal bonding to continue through suckling. In this study, two neonatal koalas, delivered by the same mother in 2 years, exhibited insufficient growth post-emergence from the pouch; supplemental feeding was therefore initiated. The amount of formula fed was determined according to the product instructions, and offspring weight was monitored. Slower than normal growth was not initially noticed in the first offspring. This caused delayed commencement of supplemental feeding. An attempt was made to counteract this by providing more formula for a longer period; however, this meant No. 1 was unable to eat enough eucalyptus when weaning. Supplemental feeding was started earlier for the second offspring than for the first, and was terminated at weaning; this juvenile showed a healthy body weight increase. Furthermore, it was able to eat eucalyptus leaves at an earlier stage than No. 1. Although No. 1 showed delayed growth, both koalas matured and are still living. This study showed that supplemental feeding is useful for koalas, if the mother will accept human intervention. The key factors for successful supplemental feeding of koalas identified by comparing the two feeding systems observed in this study are that: (1) it should be initiated as soon as insufficient growth is identified; and (2) it should be terminated before weaning age. Zoo Biol. 36:62-65, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.