FACTORS AFFECTİNG THE EARLY TERM BREASTFEEDİNG OF NEWBORN
N. Ecem OKSAL GUNES*
Senay CETINKAYA**
* Graduate students at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Health College of Adana, Cukurova University, Adana.
** Assistant Professor (PhD) at the Pediatric Nursing, Health College of Adana, Cukurova University, Adana. E-mail: scetinkaya@cu.edu.tr
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METHOD
Successful nourishment has an important role in the healthy growth and development of newborn infants.
Breastfeeding has been recognised worldwide as being beneficial for both the mother and child, as breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition for an infant.
Exclusive breastfeeding on demand for the first six months, timely introduction of safe and nutritious complementary foods at the age of six months, and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond provide the child with nutrition and health benefits as well as affection and contact with the caregiver’’ (UNICEF, 2002).
Age of the participants were 22 (34.9%) were “18-25” years old, 27 (42.9%) “26-33” years old, 14 (22%) were “34 years old and above”. 15 (23.8%)
This is a cross-sectional study, carried out on 63 healthy mothers and babies in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Balcalı Hospital of CU School of Medicine, Adana (37°0′N, 35°19.28′E) Turkey, in order to examine the factors affecting newborn breastfeeding in early neonatal term. The data were collected through face to face interviews, using LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic tool, and a questionnaire by use of literature review including socio-demographic information, the importance of breast-feeding and mother milk, pregnancy and birth-related characteristics, mothers’ desire to breastfeed, etc. The maternal prolactin levels were also monitored and noted. The data were evaluated using the chi-square test, and the statistics software, SPSS for Windows 15.0.
Therefore, normal births should be supported as much as possible, the cesarean deliveries should be performed only when the otherwise would not be appropriate, while, in such cases, regional anesthesia should be preferred, and the breastfeeding on early term should be encouraged and supported.
Lactation assessment during hospitalization can detect and help correct inadequate latch-on and milk transfer, which are associated with early cessation of breastfeeding.
RESULTS
INTRODUCTION
The mothers who breastfed their infants in the first 30 minutes were 73%. No relationship were found between mother’s opinion and experience about the mothermilk and breastfeeding in early term. The 95.4% of mothers having in-time delivery breastfed their babies within the 30 minutes; this ratio was 61% for those who had cesarean delivery. 50% of mothers having delivery with general anesthesia breastfed their babies within 30 minutes, whereas this ratio was 71.4% for whom had regional (spinal, epidural) anesthesia. Socio-demographic characteristics were not found significant on the infants who were breastfed at an early term. However, it was found a correlation between the type of delivery and prolactin levels. Prolactin levels of mothers who breastfed their babies in the first 5 minutes were 380.164+84.770 ng/ml, those breastfed in the 6-30 minutes were 301.745+115.313 ng/ml and those breastfed after the first 30 minutes were 277.772+115.848 ng/ml. The mean values of mothers’ LATCH scores at cesarean delivery were 5.56+3.3, while this was 7.18+3.4 for the otherwise.
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
34 of the infants (54%) were male, 29 (46%) were female. 59(%93.7) gestational age of infants were 38-40 weeks, 4 (6.3%) 41 and over weeks. 4 of the infants 4(6.3%) 3000 g in weight, 13 (20.6%) 3000 g lower, 46 (73.0%) more weight was 3000 grams. Babies, 56 (88.9%) were received breast milk at birth, 7 (% 11.1) percent had received formula. Looking at the first evaluation of the Apgar, 26 (41.3%) ≤ 7, and 37 (58.7%)> 7, respectively. If the Apgar scores were 2, 4 of the (6.3%) ≤ 7, 59 (93.7%)> 7, respectively.
