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173618 Factors influencing infant feeding method during the maternity hospital stay: How intention, maternal characteristics, and early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact correlate

Monday, October 27, 2008: 8:45 AM

Leslie Bramson, RN DrPH IBCLC , Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Crestline, CA
Jerry W. Lee, PhD , Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA
Christine Neish, PhD , Department of Nursing, Loma Linda University, School of Nursing, Loma linda, CA
Susanne Montgomery, PhD, MPH, MS , Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA
Khaled Bahjri, MPH MD , Loma Linda University, School of Public Heath, Loma Linda, CA
Elizabeth Moore, RN PhD , School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Carolyn Lopez Melcher, RNC, CLE, MPH , Perinatal Services Network, Loma Linda University Medical Center/Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
Audio (mp3) recording Multimedia recording
Factors influencing infant feeding method during the maternity hospital stay: How intention, maternal characteristics and early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact correlate.

Abstract

The purpose of this prospective cohort study (n = 21,658) was to assess the association of a mother's initial infant feeding method intention at time of her maternity hospitalization admission, maternal characteristics, and early skin-to-skin maternal/infant contact during the first 3 hours following birth with the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding during the remainder of the maternity hospital stay. Participants were mother/infant dyads from 19 hospitals throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California from July 2005 through June 2006. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding improved as the length of time in early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact increased in both mothers who had intended to breastfeed (OR 27.597; 95% CI 23.655-32.197) and in mothers who were undecided regarding their intention to breastfeed.(OR 11.291; 95% CI 7.961-16.013). The increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding among both mothers who were initially undecided regarding their infant intention and mothers who were intending to mix-feed their infants was unexpected. These findings confirm the need to prioritize early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact during the immediate postpartum period to increase breastfeeding initiation to all mothers regardless of their infant feeding intention.

Learning Objectives:
Learning objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the particpant will: 1. Recognize that early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact positively correlates to exclusive breastfeeding during the maternity hospitalization, 2. Describe the relationship between initial maternal infant feeding intention, maternal characteristics, early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact and resultant infant feeding choice during the maternity hospital stay, 3. List the benefits of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact, and, 4. Articulate a plan for implementation of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact in their work setting.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have no conflict of interest.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Impact of Hospital Practices on Breastfeeding Behavior
See more of: Maternal and Child Health