What is an easy way to improve the continuation rate of difficult breastfeeding?



Is secreted from the mother's breast

milk is given a foster baby 'breastfeeding', while there are a variety of benefits for the baby, it is a big burden for the mother. The question, 'How can we improve the retention rate of breastfeeding?' Is explained by David Comerford, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, University of Stirling, UK.

Effect of obstacles / tips card on breastfeeding drop-off | British Journal of Midwifery
https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2021.29.9.510

Breastfeeding is tough: new research shows how to make it more manageable
https://theconversation.com/breastfeeding-is-tough-new-research-shows-how-to-make-it-more-manageable-168432

'The benefits of breastfeeding are wide-ranging and life-changing,' Comerford said. He points out that breast milk contains antibodies that reduce the risk of asthma, allergies, diarrhea, and ear infections. .. Studies have shown that breast-fed babies have a lower risk of hospitalization and death, are less likely to become obese, and have a higher IQ. Studies have also shown that women who breastfeed their babies have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer than women who do not.

Because of these benefits of breastfeeding, British public health authorities are helping mothers breastfeed, and the Scottish Government has set a goal of extending the duration of breastfeeding. Comerford also rates these moves as 'wise.'

However, despite the many benefits of breastfeeding, it is still difficult for mothers to breastfeed their babies. A large 2010 survey of infant feeding (PDF file) found that most women experienced breast and nipple pain at some point during breastfeeding, as well as breastfeeding in town and in their gardens. The frosty gaze of giving a baby is also a challenge for mothers to breastfeed. Proponents of breastfeeding also claim that 'it's natural for a mother to breastfeed her baby,' but it's a new act for the individual mother that she's never done before, and it's easy to get used to. Naturally it takes time.

In a 2010 survey, one in five mothers who started breastfeeding in Scotland said they stopped breastfeeding in just two weeks, with a higher proportion in Wales and Northern Ireland breastfeeding in the first two weeks. I know I'm giving up. Importantly, 86% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding wanted to 'breastfeed longer.'



Comerford argues that many mothers have given up breastfeeding against their wishes and need help helping women breastfeed their babies. Therefore, Tracy McGillivray, a master's student at the Center for Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Economics, University of Stirling, devised a method of 'giving a prenatal mother a'breasting plan card'created by the research team,' and Mr. Comerford. We also conducted a pilot experiment to confirm the effect.

In the experiment, 81 pregnant women living around Edinburgh, England were recruited and randomly assigned to the 'experimental group to give a breastfeeding plan card' and the 'control group to give no card'. The breastfeeding plan card created by the research team included four challenges that mothers may face when they start breastfeeding and expert answers to them. The issues and answers listed are as follows.

1: There is discomfort or pain when breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a new skill and takes time to learn. Make sure your body contact is appropriate, try other breastfeeding postures, have a midwife or visiting health caregiver watch your breastfeeding, and get help from a group that supports your breastfeeding practice.

2: I feel that I don't have enough milk
Your baby's weight is regularly measured by a midwife or a traveling health care provider, which gives you an idea of how much milk your baby has consumed. The newborn's stomach is about the size of a marble, about the size of a ping-pong ball three days after birth, about a plum in a week, and about an egg in a month. Your baby needs a very small amount of milk.



3: I can't incorporate breastfeeding into my daily life
A new person has joined your family. For a while, everything will come to the fore and it will take some time for the new routine to take shape. By securing time for your new family and spacing your visitors, you will know your baby and your baby will know you.

4: I feel guilty that only I am in contact with the baby
There are many ways to connect with your new baby. Other than you can hold your baby before breastfeeding or rub your baby's back during breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact is good for dads to connect with their babies. Also, support for taking a baby in the bath may be an ideal time for siblings and grandparents.



The purpose of the Breastfeeding Plan Card was to help women who have a little time to give birth anticipate and address the challenges they will face in breastfeeding. Also, on the back of some breastfeeding plan cards, we added a phrase such as 'I'm going to breastfeed my baby' to keep mothers motivated to reach their goals.

The graph below shows the mother who received the 'O / T Card' and the 'Enhanced O / T card' and the 'Control' who did not receive anything. Shows the continuation rate of 'any (some form of breastfeeding)' or 'exclusively (breastfeeding without feeding anything other than breast milk)' for mothers of ''. About 80% of mothers in the control group were breastfeeding at the time of 'discharge', but continued breastfeeding at 'At follow up' 10 to 14 days after discharge. The percentage of breastfeeding was about 64%. On the other hand, it can be seen that mothers who receive a breastfeeding plan card or a breastfeeding plan card with words have hardly given up breastfeeding even after being discharged from the hospital.



'This result is important because breast-fed babies enjoy health benefits,' Comerford said. He said he hopes that the results will lead to the adoption of a breastfeeding plan card to promote breastfeeding.

in Science, Posted by log1h_ik