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Published on: February 5, 2019
Maternity care practices: implications for breastfeeding
A M DiGirolamo1, L M Grummer-Strawn, S Fein
1National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA.
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
|June 14, 2001
Summary
Adhering to more Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative practices significantly increases breastfeeding duration. Mothers experiencing all five practices were less likely to terminate breastfeeding early, highlighting the importance of widespread adoption.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Lactation Research
Background:
- Low rates of breastfeeding initiation and short durations are prevalent among US mothers.
- The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) promotes evidence-based maternity care practices to normalize breastfeeding.
- This study investigates the relationship between BFHI practices and breastfeeding outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate how the type and number of BFHI practices influence breastfeeding duration.
- To identify specific BFHI practices that impact early breastfeeding cessation.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal mail survey (1993-1994) tracked 1085 mothers with intentions to breastfeed for over 2 months.
- Data collected prenatally and postnatally assessed exposure to five key BFHI practices.
- Breastfeeding termination before 6 weeks was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Only 7% of mothers experienced all five measured BFHI practices.
- Late breastfeeding initiation and infant supplementation were significant risk factors for early breastfeeding termination.
- Mothers experiencing no BFHI practices were eight times more likely to stop breastfeeding early compared to those experiencing all five.
Conclusions:
- Implementing more BFHI practices is associated with improved chances of breastfeeding beyond six weeks.
- The low adoption rate of all five BFHI practices underscores the need for increased hospital implementation.
- Wider adoption of BFHI guidelines can support longer breastfeeding durations.
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