Exclusive breastfeeding greater than 50%, success of education in a university hospital in Bogotá: Case-control study

BACKGROUND Maintenance rates of exclusive breastfeeding(EBF)worldwide are low,thus,one of the objectives of the summary of policies on breastfeeding(BF)in world nutrition goals for 2025 are that at least 50%of infants under six months of age receive EBF that year.The Objective of this study is to document the rates of EBF in children born in San Ignacio University Hospital(HUSI)and identify factors associated with maintenance.AIM To document the percentages of EBF in those that were born at HUSI and identify factors associated to their maintenance.METHODS This is a study of cases and controls in an analytic,retrospective cohort that took children born alive between January 2016 and January 2019 at HUSI located in the city of Bogotá,Colombia.RESULTS Receiving information about BF at HUSI was able to maintain EBF up until 4 mo(OR=1.65;95%CI:1.02-2.66).The presence of gynecologic and obstetric comorbidities(OR=0.32;95%CI:0.12-0.83),having mastitis(OR=0.56;95%CI:0.33-0.94),and receiving information from mass media(OR=0.52;95%CI:0.31-0.84)are factors associated with not maintaining EBF.CONCLUSION Receiving education at a Women-and Child-Friendly Institution was the only significant factor to achieve EBF until 4 mo,with a frequency greater than the one reported in the country,which matches multiple studies where counseling and individualized support on BF achieve this purpose.Knowledge about BF and early detection of obstetric/gynecologic complications must be strengthened among the healthcare staff in charge of mothers during post-partum.Additionally,strategies must be promoted to continue BF such as creating milk banks with the objective of increasing BF rates even when mothers return to work.

Factors influencing self-efficacy in breastfeeding support among public health nurses in Japan

This study investigated self-efficacy in breastfeeding support among public health nurses (PHNs) working at maternal and child health (MCH) services in Japanese municipalities, and its related factors such as education, working experience, breastfeeding experience, and postgraduate/continuous education. Directors of the MCH divisions were requested to select one PHN to answer the self-report questionnaires sent. The questionnaires were collected from October 2010 to January 2011. Of the 1750 questionnaires sent, 831 were returned (response rate: 47.5%);102 were excluded from analysis because of missing data (valid response rate: 41.7%). After adjusting the weights of PHN sampling and collection rates by prefecture and population size, Model 1 of the multiple regression analysis showed that the self-efficacy in breastfeeding support was significantly higher in large/urban municipalities (β = 0.13) and in the Kanto district. Model 2 revealed that self-efficacy was significantly associated with working experience (β = 0.13) and breastfeeding experience (β = 0.22) but not with educational background. Model 3 showed that self-efficacy was significantly associated with postgraduate education (β = 0.14) and continuous education (β = 0.12). This suggested that PHNs’ self-efficacy increased through self-enrichment. It is necessary to create training opportunities about breastfeeding support for PHNs—especially those working in remote and/or small municipalities— and to provide them with new and important information.

Sociodemographic determinants associated with breastfeeding in term infants with low birth weight in Latin American countries

BACKGROUND A progressive decrease in exclusive breastfeeding(BF)is observed in Latin America and the Caribbean compared with global results.The possibility of being breastfed and continuing BF for>6 months is lower in low birth weight than in healthy-weight infants.AIM To identify factors associated with BF maintenance and promotion,with particular attention to low-and middle-income countries,by studying geographic,socioeconomic,and individual or neonatal health factors.METHODS A scoping review was conducted in 2018 using the conceptual model of social determinants of health published by the Commission on Equity and Health Inequalities in the United States.The extracted data with common characteristics were synthesized and categorized into two main themes:(1)Sociodemographic factors and proximal determinants involved in the initiation and maintenance of BF in low-birth-weight term infants in Latin America;and(2)individual characteristics related to the self-efficacy capacity for BF maintenance and adherence in low-birth-weight term infants.RESULTS This study identified maternal age,educational level,maternal economic capacity,social stratum,exposure to BF substitutes,access to BF information,and quality of health services as mediators for maintaining BF.CONCLUSION Individual self-efficacy factors that enable BF adherence in at-risk populations should be analyzed for better health outcomes.

Effect of care intervention with a health education form for breastfeeding on breast distension,pain,and lactation in postpartum mothers

BACKGROUND Breastfeeding not only meets the nutritional needs of newborn growth and development but also promotes uterine contraction and discharge of lochia,which helps in maternal recovery.However,some mothers experience abnormal lactation and breast swelling due to a lack of breastfeeding knowledge,painful cesarean incisions,anesthesia,negative emotions,and other factors,resulting in a reduced breastfeeding rate,which adversely affects neonatal and maternal health.AIM To explore the effects of care intervention with a health education form for breastfeeding on breastfeeding-related conditions.METHODS In this study,207 mothers with postpartum breast pain and difficulty lactating were selected and divided into intervention and control groups using a random number table.Both groups of mothers were provided with basic nursing and related treatment measures after delivery.The intervention group additionally received care intervention with a health education form for breastfeeding.The scores of lactation volume,breast distension and pain,breastfeeding rate,breastfeeding self-efficacy,treatment effect,and complication rate of the two groups were compared.RESULTS After treatment,the breast pain score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group,while the lactation score,score of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form scale,parent-child communication score,maternal-infant interaction score,total score of maternal-infant communication,and breastfeeding rate of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group.After intervention,the overall therapeutic effect of the intervention group was better than that of the control group,and the complication rate of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group.CONCLUSION Breastfeeding health education and nursing intervention combined with basic clinical treatment have good clinical effects in managing postpartum breast distension and pain and increasing lactation yield.

Influence of social media on maternal decision-making and breastfeeding practices

Breastfeeding practices are influenced by multifactorial determinants including individual characteristics,external support systems,and media influences.This commentary emphasizes such complex factors influencing breastfeeding practices.Potential methodological limitations and the need for diverse sampling in studying breastfeeding practices are highlighted.Further research must explore the interplay between social influences,cultural norms,government policies,and individual factors in shaping maternal breastfeeding decisions.

Effect and Value of Quality Nursing Intervention in Breastfeeding after Cesarean Section among Primigravid Women

Objective:To analyze the effect of using quality nursing care for primigravid women undergoing cesarean delivery.Methods:A total of 80 cases of primigravid women undergoing cesarean section from June 2022 to June 2023 were randomly selected.They were divided into two groups:Group A(40 cases)received routine care and Group B(40 cases)received quality care.The division was done using a computerized randomization method.The effects of the nursing care received in the two groups were compared.Conclusion:Quality nursing care for primigravid women undergoing cesarean section can enhance breastfeeding rates,alleviate maternal anxiety,improve feeding practices,and enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Breastfeeding and chronic HBV infection: Clinical and social implications

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is among the most important causes of chronic HBV infection and is the commonest mode of transmission worldwide. Currently, the presence of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in breast milk is confirmed. Several studies have reported that breastfeeding carries no additional risk that might lead to vertical transmission. Beyond some limitations, the surveys have not demonstrated any differences in HBV transmission rate regarding feeding practices in early childhood. Promotion of breastfeeding is substantial, especially for low-income individuals and regions with uncertain, unfeasible, and unsafe water supplies. Lactoferrin, minimal inflammation or activation within the infant gut during exclusive breastfeeding, and nonspecific biological molecules in the milk are identified as major factors of breast-milk defense. This review discusses preemptive antiviral therapy during pregnancy and lactation. Long-term follow up of breast-milk HBV concentrations and correlation with serum viral load; nucleos(t)ide analogue concentrations in breast milk in HBV-positive mothers in the setting of chronic HBV infection; safety of antiviral therapy during pregnancy and lactation; and the difference in viral load in the milk in exclusive or non-exclusive breastfeeding are still open questions. The paper reviews the current data and outlines the course of further investigation into this often underestimated issue.

Possible ameliorative effect of breastfeeding and the uptake of human colostrum against coeliac disease in autistic rats

AIM: To examine the possible ameliorative effect of breastfeeding and the uptake of human colostrum against coeliac disease in autistic rats. METHODS: Female rats were fed a standard diet and received a single intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg/kg sodium valproate on day 12.5 after conception. In study 1, neonatal rats were randomly subjected to blood tests to investigate autism. In study 2, the 1st group was fed by the mother after an injection of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and administration of gliadin. The pups in the 2nd group were prevented from accessing maternal milk, injected IFN-γ, administered gliadin, and hand-fed human colostrum. The normal littermates fed by the table mothers were injected with physiological saline and served as normal controls in this study.RESULTS: The protein concentration was higher in group 2 than in group 1 in the duodenum (161.6 ± 9 and 135.4 ± 7 mg/g of tissue, respectively, P < 0.01). A significant increase (P < 0.001) in body weight was detected in human colostrum-treated pups on post natal day (PND) 7 and 21 vs suckling pups in group 1. A delay in eye opening was noticed in the treated rats in group 1 on PND 13 compared with the control group and group 2. Administration of a single intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg/kg sodium valproate on day 12.5 after conception resulted in significantly reduced calcium and vitamin D levels in study 1 compared with the control groups (P < 0.001). However, human colostrum uptake inhibited increases in the level of transglutaminase antibody in autistic pups with coeliac disease. CONCLUSION: The effects of early-life nutrition and human colostrum on the functional maturation of the duodenal villi in autistic rats with coeliac disease that might limit or prevent the coeliac risk with autism.

Factors affecting breastfeeding duration in Greece:What is important?

AIM:To investigate factors associated with breastfeeding duration(BD) in a sample of mothers living in Greece.METHODS:Four hundred and twenty-eight mothers(438 infants) were initially recruited in a tertiary University Hospital.Monthly telephone interviews(1665in total) using a structured questionnaire(one for each infant) were conducted until the sixth postpartum month.Cox regression analysis was used to assess factors influencing any BD.RESULTS:Any breastfeeding rates in the first,third,and sixth month of the infant's life reached 87.5%,57.0%and 38.75%,respectively.In the multivariate analysis,maternal smoking in the lactation period[hazard-ratio(HR) = 4.20]and psychological status(HR = 1.72),and the introduction of a pacifier(HR =2.08),were inversely associated,while higher maternal education(HR_(university/college vs primary/high school) = 0.53,HR_(master's vs primary/high school) = 0.20),and being an immigrant(HR = 0.35) were positively associated with BD.CONCLUSION:Public health interventions should focus on campaigns against smoking during lactation,target women of lower educational status,and endorse the delayed introduction of pacifiers.

Teaching New Mothers about Infant Feeding Cues May Increase Breastfeeding Duration

The objective of this pilot study was to compare two different methods of educating prenatal women regarding breast-feeding. Comparisons were made between traditional and innovative methods to determine which was more effective in increasing breastfeeding duration. Over a 32 month period, 197 prenatal women were assigned to either a control (C, n = 139) or an experimental (E, n = 51) group. The C group received standard breastfeeding education, while the E group received standard education in addition to information about infant hunger cues. Cox Regression and Kap-lan- Meier analysis were performed. Estimated mean number of weeks for C and E groups to continue breastfeeding was 14.3 + 17.4 weeks and 18.5 + 17.1 weeks, respectively. At 26 weeks, duration of breastfeeding approached significance (chi square = 2.907, df = 1, p = 0.088), indicating probability of continuing to breastfeed was about 28% better for those in E group when compared to C group. Duration of breastfeeding may increase when prenatal women are taught to identify infant behavior such as hunger cues.

An exploration of the breastfeeding behaviors of women aftercesarean section: A qualitative study

Objectives:To explore the factors affecting breastfeeding behaviors in women after cesarean section.Methods:This is a qualitative study that used a phenomenological approach.This study used individual face-to-face interviews with 19 women who underwent a cesarean section in a Women and Children’s Hospital in China between July to September 2019.Information saturationwas used to determine sample size.Data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis method.Themes were developed based on the theory of planned behavior.Results:Thirteen(68.42%)had a planned cesarean section,and six(31.58%)cesarean sections were unplanned or emergent.Three major themes emerged:ambivalent attitude about breastfeeding,motivation to comply with the traditional cultural norms,and barriers and challenges.The motivating factors for breastfeeding after cesarean sections included perceived benefits of human milk,support from healthcare professionals,and responsibility for breastfeeding.The challenges for breastfeeding after cesarean sections included physical discomfort,knowledge and skills deficit of breastfeeding,lactation deficiency,and lack of knowledge and coping skills in managing their depressive mood after cesarean sections.There were a couple of neutral factors,such as the influences of family and peers.These factors could influence women either positively as facilitators or negatively as barriers.Conclusions:The findings can offer valuable information for healthcare professionals to help women breastfeed after cesarean sections.To promote women’s breastfeeding behaviors after cesarean sections,it is necessary to change women’s attitudes,belief systems,and the external environments and help them become more confident.

Breastfeeding and risk of parasitic infection-a review

Breastfeeding,as exclusive nutrition in the first six months of life,is a necessary nutritional requisite in infants.Except for very few maternal diseases that contraindicate breastfeeding,some of which still controversial,breastfeeding mothers must continue exclusive and sustained lactation to provide maximum overall benefits through breastfeeding.Parasitic infections is a global disease and children remain a significant proportion of the affected population.The complex and mandatory life cycles of some parasites,particularly the helminths may partly explain their geographical distribution.The world-wide prevalence of parasitic infections as well as the largely asymptomatic nature of most infections,make many of these infections to likely remain under-recognized.Breast milk,the prime infant nutrition must be recognized to be more than a rare vehicle of parasite transmission,but also a general and focused immune defensive tool against some important parasites.The possibility and influence of small quantities of parasite antigens in breast milk have not been adequately explored.It is believed that useful immunological responses both direct and indirect in breast milk that occur due to the presence of parasite antigens,must be further studied in the light of both immediate and long term benefits.Within this context,and prompted by a spectrum of existing uncertainties,researched and hypothetical roles of parasites and associated immunological responses in the lactating mammary gland are proposed and reviewed.

Effects of a theory of planned behavior-based intervention on breastfeeding behaviors after cesarean section:A randomized controlled trial

Objectives:To examine the efficacy of an intervention based on the theory of planned behavior(TPB)in improving breastfeeding behavior among women with cesarean sections(C-sections).Methods:This research was a randomized controlled trial.Women with planned elective C-sections were recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial between June and September 2020.One hundred thirty-two women were divided randomly into the intervention(n=66)and control group(n=66)by systematic random sampling.In the intervention group,an intervention project was implemented after Keywords:Breastfeeding Cesarean section Intervention studies Theory of planned behavior the C-section to establish positive breastfeeding attitudes,cultivate supportive subjective norms,enhance perceived behavioral control,and strengthen breastfeeding intention to change behaviors.Those in the control group received routine pre-and post-delivery care.Exclusive breastfeeding rate and breast problem were collected at 5 days,2 weeks,and 1 month after C-section.The modified Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool(BAPT)on the first day in the hospital,two weeks,and one month after C-section and Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)24 h postoperatively were used to compare the intervention effect between the two groups.Results:After the intervention,the intervention group had significantly higher exclusive breastfeeding rates than the control group at five days(86.4%vs.60.6%),two weeks(77.3%vs.57.6%),and one month(74.2%vs.50.0%)after the C-section.Besides,the intervention group was less likely to have sore nipples at five days(6.1%vs.18.2%in the control group,P<0.05)and two weeks(9.1%vs.12.1%in the control group,P<0.05).After two weeks of intervention,attitude scores(90.64±8.31 vs.87.20±8.15,P<0.05),subjective norm scores(88.07±24.65 vs.79.42±19.47,P<0.05)and behavior control scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group.After one month of intervention,attitude scores(90.34±10.35 vs.84.22±10.51,P<0.05)and behavior control scores(43.13±5.02 vs.39.15±4.69,P<0.05)in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group,which resulted in the higher breastfeeding intention in the intervention group.Conclusion:This study indicated that the TPB-based interventions effectively improved women's breastfeeding behaviors after C-sections.

Practice environment related barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers in Blantyre, Malawi

Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in Malawi remain low despite the acknowledged benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the infant’s wellbeing and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Creating an environment supportive of exclusive breastfeeding is critical to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers. However, little is known on factors that influence the environment within which HIV-positive mothers in Malawi practise exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, the exploratory qualitative study on which this article is based was conducted at the Chatinkha maternity unit of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi from April 16, 2009 to May 8, 2009 to explore perceived practice environment related barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers. Data were obtained through indepth interviews with 16 purposively selected breastfeeding HIV-positive mothers between 18 and 35 years old and two focus group discussions with women of unknown HIV status. Semi-structured interview and focus group guides were utilised. Content analysis of data was done. Five main themes emerged regarding factors that may influence the environment within which exclusive breastfeeding was practised: 1) availability of resources;2) societal norms and cultural practices;3) mother-baby proximity;4) health workers’ attitudes and 5) disclosure of the mothers’ HIV status. A multi-sectoral approach to promote exclusive breastfeeding is suggested. This?should include community involvement because it is in the community where breastfeeding norms and cultural practices associated with breast-feeding are propagated.

Association of Breastfeeding Duration with Body Composition in Children Aged 3–5 Years

Objective This study aimed to assess the relationship between the body composition of children aged 3–5 years and breastfeeding status and duration.Methods The study was conducted using data from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children 0–17 years of age in China(CNHSC),a nationwide cross-sectional study.Breastfeeding information and potential confounders were collected using standardized questionnaires administered through face-to-face interviews.The body composition of preschool children was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis.A multivariate linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between breastfeeding duration and body composition after adjusting for potential confounders.Results In total,2,008 participants were included in the study.Of these,89.2%were ever breastfed and the median duration of breastfeeding was 12 months(IQR 7–15 months).Among children aged 3 years,the height-for-age Z-score(HAZ)for the ever breastfed group was lower than that for never breastfed group(0.12 vs.0.42,P=0.043).In addition,the weight-for-age Z-score(WAZ)of the ever breastfed group was lower than that of the never breastfed group(0.31 vs.0.65,P=0.026),and the WAZ was lower in children aged 4 years who breastfed between 12 and 23 months than in those who never breastfed.Compared to the formula-fed children,the fat-free mass of breastfed infants was higher for children aged 3 years(12.84 kg vs.12.52 kg,P=0.015)and lower for those aged 4 years(14.31 kg vs.14.64 kg,P=0.048),but no difference was detected for children aged 5 years(16.40 kg vs.16.42 kg,P=0.910)after adjusting for potential confounders.No significant difference was detected in the weight-for-height Z-score(WHZ),body mass index(BMI)-for-age Z-score(BAZ),fat-free mass index,and body fat indicators in the ever breastfed and never breastfed groups and among various breastfeeding duration groups for children aged 3–5 years.Conclusion No obvious associations were detected between breastfeeding duration,BMI,and fat mass indicators.Future prospective studies should explore the relationship between breastfeeding status and fat-free mass.

Reasons for Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation among Newly Delivered Women in Two First-Category Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding is fundamental for the good health and development of the mother and the child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding after childbirth should be initiated within 30 minutes. For a number of reasons, WHO recommendations on guiding principles for infants and young children feeding are often not followed. Objective: To determine the reasons for the delayed initiation of breastfeeding in newly delivered women. Means and Method: We carried out a mixed cross-sectional study over a period of six months from December 1st 2018 to May 31st 2019, at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. We included all mothers with full-term or premature babies weighing ≥ 2000 grams and those whom initiated breastfeeding more than one hour after delivery. The mother’s reasons for delaying breastfeeding initiation were recorded using a dictaphone and data were accurately extracted for analysis. Results: We interviewed 153 mothers. Their mean age was 27.9 ± 6.2 years. The main reasons for delaying breastfeeding initiation were caesarean delivery (22%), the belief in “spoiled milk” (21%), lack of knowledge about the time to initiate breastfeeding (21%), baby asleep (18%), and lack of instruction given to the mother by the health staff (2%). Conclusion: Delayed breastfeeding was common in our context. Improving the quality of breastfeeding involves communication, to break beliefs about spoiled milk, and strengthening mothers’ knowledge for optimal breastfeeding processes in accordance with WHO’s guidelines. The medical staff should anticipate and undertake the early initiation of breastfeeding in babies from mothers who deliver through caesarean section.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Its Factors in Rural Areas of Burkina Faso

Background: The recommendation of the WHO and UNICEF is that all infants should be exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age. Identifying associated factors to exclusively breastfeeding is crucial to improve this key public health intervention. The objectives of the study were to investigate rates of exclusive breastfeeding and to identify potential associated factors. Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted in three health districts. Cluster sampling was used. For the community based cross-sectional study, a total of 1832 infants was included. Exclusive breastfeeding have been investigated among the 563 under 6 month’s infants. The associations between exclusive breastfeeding and independent variables were tested using the Chi-square test. Crude Odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals were used to investigate the factors independently associated with exclusively breastfeeding. Results: Proportion of infant 0 - 5.9 months of age who are fed exclusively with breastmilk was 40.0%. Ear of age for mother was found to be more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding, COR [95CI%] = 2.11 [1.24 - 3.60] for 15 - 20 years of age and 2.0 [1.22 - 3.26]. Receiving advices, on exclusive breastfeeding was found to be more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding, COR: 2.07, 95% CI: [1.44 - 2.98]. Mothers who have practice early initiation to breastfeeding were found to be more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding COR: 1.62, 95% CI: [1.15 - 2.27]. Skilled delivery was found to be more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding than non-skilled deliveries, COR: 1.66, 95% CI: [1.16 - 2.35]. Low numbers of living children by mother, young children, were found to be more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding continues to be low in rural areas of Burkina Faso. As Exclusive breastfeeding is associated to lower morbidity and mortality risk, improving the skills of health providers to give adequate feeding support to the mothers is critical for promoting exclusively breastfeeding.

Long Lasting Effects of Breastfeeding on Metabolism in Women with Prior Gestational Diabetes

Background & Aims: Breastfeeding improves glucose tolerance in the early postpartum period of women with prior gestational diabetes GDM, but it is unclear whether future risk of metabolic alterations, like type 2 diabetes, is reduced. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactation, three years after pregnancy, on glucose and lipid metabolism in women with prior gestational diabetes. Materials & Methods: A population of women with prior gestational diabetes (Carpenter and Coustan Criteria) was evaluated with comparison of results for “lactating” [BF] versus “nonlactating women” [non BF]. Breast feeding was defined [BF] if lasting? 4 weeks. In each woman a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to analyze the glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity/resistance and b-cell function. Fasting serum was used to study their lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, and triglycerides), apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A1, homocysteine, fibrinogen, hsCRP, uric acid, microalbuminuria. Statistics: Paired and Un-paired t-test, Mann-Whitney and?χ2?tests were used, as appropriate. Results: A total of 81 women were evaluated (62 [BF] and 19 [non BF]). Maternal age (37.1?±?4.6 vs 37.4?±?4.9 years), body mass index (26.3?±?5.6 vs 26.4?±?5.3 kg/m2), parity (1.9?±?0.8 vs 1.7?±?0.8) and length of follow-up (32.2?±?20.2 vs 32.1±?20,0) were not different between the two groups. No effect was visible on glucose tolerance, HOMA-IR and other b-cell function indexes as well as hs-CRP (not significantly lower in non BF), uric acid, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol. Levels of significance were only reached for “HOMA-IS” [BF] 1.0?±?0.7 vs [non BF] 0.6?±?0.4, p = 0.04) and triglycerides [BF] 83.8?±46.7 vs [non BF] 123.2?±?94.0 mg/dl, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Breastfeeding does not improve the glucose tolerance of our women with prior GDM three years after delivery, even though lower levels of triglycerides and improved insulin sensitivity are still visible.

Comparison of Contraceptive Methods Chosen by Breastfeeding, and Non-Breastfeeding, Women at a Family Planning Clinic in Northern Nigeria

Introduction: Breast feeding may pose a further challenge to uptake of contraception by possibly restricting use of certain methods for real or perceived risks of side effects. Methodology: A retrospective study was done at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna. Available family planning clinic client cards from January 1st, 2000 to March 31st, 2014 were retrieved and information collected on demographics, reproductive and menstrual history, contraceptive choices and breast feeding status. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 15. Missing responses were stated and excluded from analysis. Chi square was used as a test of association with significance level established at p value, 0.05. Results: A total number of 5992 client cards were retrieved. All clients were female and married, and majority of clients aged between 25 - 34 years (53.1%), had either completed their secondary education or gone further (56%) and were Muslims (52.3%). Only 2924 women stated that they were currently breastfeeding (48.8%), 1828 women were not breastfeeding (30.5%) and 1240 women (20.7%) did not state their breastfeeding status. Younger and more educated women were more likely to be breastfeeding than older women and less educated ones (p < 0.05). Only 4636 cards (77%) had correctly filled data on the choice of contraceptives chosen by breastfeeding status with 2854 women breast feeding and 1302 (45.6%) chose injectable hormonal contraception, 888 (31.1%) chose intrauterine contraceptive devices, 484 (17%) chose oral contraceptive pills and 180 (6.3%) chose contraceptive implants. There was no record of condom use or use of permanent methods of contraception. Conclusion: Breastfeeding rates were high among women seeking contraception. The pattern of contraception is similar among both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, with injectable contraception being the preferred choice. Awareness should be raised on the safety of a wider variety of contraception available for breastfeeding women.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of techniques of breastfeeding among new mothers: A survey across Delhi Region

Objective:The present study aims to evaluate aims to assess the knowledge,attitude,and practice of primiparous mothers in the immediate postpartum period regarding breastfeeding techniques which will be helpful in forming awareness and training programs.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was used.A total of 120 primiparous mothers with a mean age of 24.92 years participated in the survey and filled the questionnaire related to the knowledge,attitude,and practice of techniques of breastfeeding.Results:Results revealed that 48.3%of new mothers were not aware of the correct techniques to initiate breastfeeding,whereas 68.3%of subjects reported that during latching,the baby’s upper and lower lip should be everted.The majority of new mothers were aware of breastfeeding techniques with some misconceptions as in our culture,most of the breastfeeding information passed from generation to generation.Conclusion:The level of awareness about feeding skills among primiparous mothers can be further improved by antenatal counseling or training from health-care workers during the gestational period.This will further help new mothers to educate and will provide adequate information which will decrease the myths.