Factores asociados al inicio de la lactancia materna y razones de la madre para la toma de su decisión/Predictors of breastfeeding initiation and maternal reasons for this decision

• Published in: Acta pediátrica española Vol. 73; no. 3; p. 65
• Main Authors: Rius, J M, Rivas, C, Ortuño, J, Maravall, M, Aguar, M, Calzado, M A, López, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Madrid Ediciones Mayo 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Breastfeeding & lactation; Decision making; Mothers; Womens health
• ISSN: 0001-6640; 2014-2986

Breastfeeding benefits have been clearly demonstrated, but nearly 20% of mothers don't start breastfeeding. Related factors to this decision and maternal reasons have been poorly investigated. We asses initiation breastfeeding rate, maternal reasons and the factors linked to their decision. This is a prevalence study of initiation breastfeeding rate in a sample of mothers who delivered after 36 weeks of gestation. Six trained investigators collected variables by structured questionnaires, asking the mothers in the hospital within the first 24 hours after delivery. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the data were performed. Eighty one percent of the mothers started breastfeeding. Positive associated factors were: a good opinion of mother's partner about breastfeeding (OR= 28.49; CI 95%: 5.34-151.95), neutral opinion of grandmother about breastfeeding (OR= 4.79; CI 95%: 0.99-23.76), positive breastfeeding experience with previous sibling (OR= 22.63; CI 95%: 5.68-90.07) and coming from the same province where the hospital is located (OR= 47.34; CI 95%: 16.09139.31). Negative related factors were: maternal smoking habit (OR= 0.37; CI 95%: 0.15-0.92), previous abortions (OR= 0.35; CI 95%: 0.20-0.60) and maternal pharmacological treatment at the beginning of breastfeeding (OR=0.25; CI 95%: 0.08-0.74). We have described not only known but other new factors associated with the breastfeeding initiation, and maternal reasons for making their decisions. Pharmacological treatment is one of the factors clearly implicated in the beginning of formula-feeding, and this decision is avoidable with a correct counselling. Increasing breastfeeding initiation rates is strongly recommended with new public health interventions. Common criteria of what consider as a "breastfeeding initiation" are required for future research.