Maternal biomedical and newborn factors impact on mother‘s own milk feeding duration

Aim: To establish impact of maternal biomedical and newborn factors on mother‘s own milk (MOM) feeding duration. Objectives: To evaluate when the additional baby feeding is usually started and establish which food products are used the most. To evaluate impact of maternal biomedical, newborn factors and pacifier/bottle on MOM feeding duration. Methods: Two stage questionnaire research was performed. 282 mothers who gave birth in Obstetric department of LUHS Hospital Kaunas Clinics, were selected randomly and participated in the 1st stage of research. Participants were interviewed again 12 mos. later. 232 mothers and 240 newborns participated in 2nd stage of research. Two groups were formed for statystical analysis: 1st – received MOM for at least 12 mos. (N = 115), 2nd – for less than 12 mos. (N=125). Results: 68,75% babies were fed with MOM for at least 6 mos. Participants fed their babies with MOM for 7,76 ± 4,49 mos. on average. The most frequent reason of discontinuing MOM feeding was the lack/abscence of MOM (50%; N= 62). The additional baby feeding was started at the age of 5,81±2,71 mos. on average, the most common food was vegetables. Significant correlations were established in planned time to feed, pacifier receival time and MOM feeding duration (respectively – r = 0,388, p=0,000 ir r = 0,298, p=0,000). Newborns in 1st group had higher weight, APGAR scores and longer gestational age (GA) (respectively - p=0,000; p=0,001; p=0,000). Mothers, who breastfed their older children for at least 6 mos., had fed participant babies longer, compared to mothers, who fed their older children for less than 6 mos (p=0,000). Skin to skin contact, first feed in 2 hrs., newborn kept together with a mother in the hospital – were significantly more frequent, while health issues during pregnancy and labor analgesia were significantly rarer in 1st group rather than 2nd one (respectively p=0,018; p=0,014; p=0,020; p=0,025; p=0,021). Conclusions: Babies included in research were fed with MOM for 7,76 ± 4,49 mos., additional feeding was started at 5,81±2,71 mos., most commonly - with vegetables. Newborns with higher birth weight, APGAR scores and GA were fed with MOM longer. Longer planned feeding duration, breastfeeding older children for 6 mos., skin to skin contact for at least 30 min., first feed in two hrs. after birth, keeping newborn with a mother in hospital – had a positive impact, while labor analgesia, pregnancy health issues, pacifier in first 6 mos. – had a negative one on MOM feeding duration. Recommendations: intensive education among pregnant women and new mothers is needed. There is a lack of knowledge in benefits of mother‘s milk, breastfeeding techniques and babies‘ nutrition