The first breastfeeding session: studies on caregivers' support and breastfeeding duration

Abstract Cato, K. 2015 The first breastfeeding session: studies on caregivers’ support and breastfeeding duration. 33pp. Uppsala. ISBN 978-91-506-2494-6 It is well-known that the first breastfeeding session can be essential for breastfeeding duration. The hands-on approach given by health care professionals, where health care professionals touch the woman’s breast and the baby in order to stimulate latch on and breastfeeding, has been described as awkward and disturbing. The aim of this thesis was to increase knowledge on the first breastfeeding session postpartum, as to frequency and experience of the hands-on approach, and possible correlates of shorter breastfeeding duration. Questionnaires were sent five days, six weeks and six months postpartum, including questions regarding breastfeeding initiation and duration. Eight hundred and fifty-four women and 679 women were included in Study I and Study II, respectively. The prevalence of the hands-on approach was 38%. Women who received the hands-on approach were more likely to report a negative experience of the first breastfeeding session (Study I). Seventy-seven percent of the women reported exclusive breastfeeding at two months postpartum. Being a first time mother, reporting emotional distress during pregnancy and giving birth by cesarean section were factors independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding less than two months postpartum (Study II). These results can help to develop clinical practice, in order to improve women’s experience of the first breastfeeding session and identifying women in need of targeted, individualized support, to be able to promote longer exclusive breastfeeding duration.