BREASTFEEDING BEHAVIOUR IN HUMANS

Breastfeeding behaviour in humans

Abstract

Despite substantial evidence of maternal and infant benefits of breastfeeding, adolescent mothers initiate breastfeeding less often and maintain breastfeeding for shorter durations when compared to their adult counterparts. A randomized controlled trial drawing on the theory of planned behaviour and developmental theory was conducted to determine if an education and counselling intervention provided by a lactation consultant-peer counsellor team increased breastfeeding initiation and duration up to 6 months postpartum among adolescent mothers. Study participants (N = 200) enrolled from multiple prenatal clinic and school settings, were 15 to 18 years old, and predominately African American, single, and divorced. The intervention, which started in the second trimester of pregnancy and extended through 4 weeks postpartum, positively influenced breastfeeding duration (p < .001) within the experimental group, but not breastfeeding initiation or exclusive breastfeeding rates. This education/support intervention was partially effective in enhancing breastfeeding outcomes. Implications for research and practice are described.

Breastfeeding behaviour in humans

Introduction

Breastfeeding refers to the act of providing mothers' milk to infants for the purpose of nutrition. The most widely accepted definition of breastfeeding seems to accept infants/children extracting milk through sucking at their mothers' breasts for the health benefit of the infant and mother. The act of a woman expressing milk from her breast with the intention of feeding her infant is referred to as breast milk fed, according to Le Leche League International. Understanding breastfeeding history, biology, research, policies, resources, potential problems, treatments, and environmental supports is beneficial to gaining a full understanding of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding benefits for infants, mothers, and society in general are well documented.

Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants for the first 6 months and partial breastfeeding of up to 2 years of age thereafter. Most infants, however, receive breast milk for a shorter period of time than is recommended. For example, in the United States, about 13% of infants are exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age. In Canada, the figure is 14%, in Austria it is 10%, in Finland 1%, and in the United Kingdom, less than 1% of infants are exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age. A number of different factors, like breastfeeding confidence, are known to influence breastfeeding initiation and duration. Most of these studies involve breastfeeding confidence after delivery, but far less information exists concerning the prenatal period. An assessment of pregnant women's confidence is necessary so those women with low confidence can be readily recognized.

Breast milk is the best food that a mother can give your child newborn. Not only for its composition, but also the bonding that occurs between a mother and baby during the act of breastfeeding. Because it contains everything the child needs during the first months of life, breast milk protects the baby against many illnesses such as colds, pneumonia, diarrhea, ear infections, urinary infections, and even prevent future as other diseases asthma, allergies, obesity, etc.

However, breast milk is not only good for the small, but for the ...