Breastfeeding at 1, 3 and 6 Months after Birth According to the Mode of Birth: A Correlation Study

Breastfeeding is a determinant of child and maternal health. However, evidence is limited on how mode of birth influences breastfeeding. Research aim: To examine the mode of birth and breastfeeding duration and the type of lactation at one, three and six months after birth in XXX, during 2017.

Correlation study on breastfeeding duration and type of lactation during the six months after birth, and mode of birth, in a randomised sample. Women ≥18 years of age with term singleton infants, were included. Collected data through interviews and hospital records. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses were conducted. SPSSv21 and α = 0.05 were used.

Breastfeeding duration was shorter in women with greater parity (-0.055 **) (p < 0.01) and epidural analgesia (0.057 **) (p < 0.01), and longer in mothers with episiotomy (-0.267 **) (p < 0.01). Episiotomy was associated with breastfeeding at one month (0.112 **) (p < 0.01), and at six months (0.347 *) (p < 0.01). The prevalence of breastfeeding was lower in women who received epidural analgesia at three months (-0.140 **) (p < 0.01) and higher at six months (0.013 **) (p < 0.01). The percentages of breastfeeding at three months were significantly greater in women with no perineal tears (2.1) (p < 0.05). At six months, small rates of breastfeeding were found in women with greater parity (0.051 **) (p < 0.01). No significant association was detected, neither between the type of lactation and the mode of birth, nor between breastfeeding duration and the mode of birth.

Epidural analgesia, episiotomy, perineal tears and parity influence the type of lactation and duration of breastfeeding during the six months after birth. The results suggest no association between the type of lactation and the mode of birth or between breastfeeding duration and the mode of birth.