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Relationship between breast- and bottle-feeding and non-nutritive sucking habits

Ana Larissa Fernandes de Holanda1, Shirley Alexandre dos Santos, Marina Fernandes de Sena

  • 1Departamento de Odontologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil. lmafaldo@bol.com.br

Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry
|December 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Extended breastfeeding (over 6 months) protects against pacifier sucking habits in children. Sociodemographic factors also influence non-nutritive sucking behaviors in toddlers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Non-nutritive sucking habits (pacifier and thumb sucking) are common in early childhood.
  • Understanding factors influencing the persistence of these habits is crucial for child health.
  • Sociodemographic influences and breastfeeding duration are key areas of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the persistence of non-nutritive sucking habits in children aged 3-5 years.
  • To examine the relationship between breastfeeding duration and these habits.
  • To identify sociodemographic factors associated with non-nutritive sucking.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 1107 children aged 3-5 years in Natal, Brazil.
  • Participants included children with pacifier or thumb sucking habits and a control group without habits.
  • Data collected via structured questionnaires on sociodemographic conditions and breastfeeding duration.

Main Results:

  • Breastfeeding for over 6 months was a significant protective factor against persistent pacifier sucking (aOR=0.311).
  • Pacifier use was more prevalent in 3-year-olds, higher-income families, and those with higher parental education.
  • Thumb sucking showed associations with female sex, lower paternal education, and being the last male child; breastfeeding duration was not significant for thumb sucking.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged breastfeeding (> 6 months) acts as a protective factor against persistent pacifier sucking.
  • The mother-child relationship's subjective aspects warrant further investigation regarding non-nutritive sucking habits.
Abstract

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