Infant feeding policies in maternity wards and their effect on breast-feeding success: an analytical overview.

AbstractSociodemographic and economic changes in Spain have played a role in the choice of infant feeding as more and more women enter the workforce. Nevertheless, the prevalence of breast-fed-only infants at 6 weeks remains fairly high, at 65.5% in 1999, although there is a sharp decline by 3 and 6 months postpartum. Achieving adequate nutritional status for lactation principally begins during pregnancy, as this constitutes the biological stage for accumulating nutrient stores. The benefits of breast-feeding for the mother and infant are presented, along with nutrition and dietary guidelines for the nursing woman. Apart from dietary considerations, special attention should be paid to encouraging a positive attitude and environment for breast-feeding success.

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Trends in Breast-Feeding

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.74.4.591 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 74 (4) ◽

pp. 591-602

Author(s):

Gerry E. Hendershot

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Market Research ◽

The United States ◽

Upward Trend ◽

Disadvantaged Women ◽

Breast Feed ◽

Statistical Studies ◽

Low Levels ◽

Short Section

Starting from very high levels in the 1940s, breast-feeding declined steadily to low levels in the early 1970s, and then began an upward trend which has apparently continued until the present (Fig. 1). In the 1940s, breast-feeding was more common among disadvantaged women. The subsequent decline was also more rapid among the disadvantaged, however, so that by the early 1970s, disadvantaged women were considerably less likely than others to breast-feed. Because the increase since the early 1970s has not been so pronounced among the disadvantaged, they continue to have relatively low levels of breast-feeding. The causes of these trends and differentials are not well understood. These are the principal conclusions drawn from a review of statistical studies of trends and differentials in breast-feeding in the United States. The studies included national health surveys conducted by the federal government, market research surveys conducted by infant formula manufacturers, and infant feeding surveys conducted by medical researchers. The studies differed markedly in their methods—a fact that affects their validity, reliability, and comparability. The first section of this paper discusses these data sources and their limitations. The next two sections discuss the downward trend in breast-feeding from the 1940s to the early 1970s, and the upward trend since. Each of these sections examines demographic differences in these trends. A short section that addresses possible causes of the trends and differentials follows those two sections. SOURCES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA The principal sources of data on trends and differentials in breast-feeding are national fertility surveys, market research surveys, and special purpose infant-feeding surveys.

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Breastmilk or infant formula? Content analysis of infant feeding advice on breastmilk substitute manufacturer websites

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021003451 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Jennifer L Pomeranz ◽

Xiangying Chu ◽

Oana Groza ◽

Madeline Cohodes ◽

Jennifer L Harris

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Infant Formula ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Feeding Problems ◽

The Us ◽

Us Government ◽

Breast Milk Substitutes ◽

Breastmilk Substitute ◽

Consumer Marketing

Abstract Objective: To evaluate messages about infant feeding on breastmilk substitute (BMS) manufacturer websites directed at US caregivers and compare information and portrayals of breast-feeding/breastmilk with that of infant formula (IF) feeding. Design: We conducted a content analysis of US BMS companies’ websites. A codebook was created through an iterative process to identify messages and images about breast-feeding/breastmilk and IF feeding, including benefits or issues associated with each, and direct-to-consumer marketing practices that could discourage breast-feeding. Setting: Data were collected in 2019–2020 and analysed in 2020–2021 for US websites of five IF manufacturers. Participants: The websites of Similac, Enfamil and Gerber, which collectively represent approximately 98 % of the US IF market, and two US organic brands, Earth’s Best and Happy Baby. Results: Websites contained more messages about breast-feeding/breastmilk than IF but were significantly more likely to mention benefits to baby of IF (44 %) than breast-feeding/breastmilk (<26 %), including significantly more statements that IF provides brain, neural and gastrointestinal benefits; 40 % of breast-feeding/breastmilk content was dedicated to breast-feeding problems (e.g. sore nipples). Twice as many screenshots compared IF brands favourably to breastmilk than as superior to other brands. Certain companies displayed images indicating ease of IF feeding and difficulty of breast-feeding. Conclusions: Substantial messaging on BMS manufacturer websites encouraged IF feeding and discouraged breast-feeding. Health professionals should discourage their patients from visiting these websites and the US government should regulate misleading claims. Companies should refrain from providing breast-feeding advice and align their US marketing with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

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Breast-feeding counselling mitigates the negative association of domestic violence on exclusive breast-feeding duration in rural Bangladesh. The MINIMat randomized trial

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980017001136 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (15) ◽

pp. 2810-2818 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amy L Frith ◽

Shirin Ziaei ◽

Ruchira Tabassum Naved ◽

Ashraful Islam Khan ◽

Iqbal Kabir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Domestic Violence ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Health Messages ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Controlling Behaviour ◽

Group Experience

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if exclusive breast-feeding counselling modifies the association of experience of any lifetime or specific forms of domestic violence (DV) on duration of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF).DesignIn the MINIMat trial pregnant women were randomized to receive either usual health messages (UHM) or usual health messages with breast-feeding counselling (BFC) in eight visits. During pregnancy (30 weeks), lifetime experience of any or specific forms of DV was measured. Infant feeding practice information was collected from 0 to 6 months at 15 d intervals.SettingMatlab, Bangladesh.SubjectsPregnant and postpartum women (n 3186) and their infants.ResultsAmong women in the UHM group, those who had experienced any lifetime DV exclusively breast-fed for a shorter duration than women who did not experience any lifetime DV (P=0·02). There was no difference, however, in duration of EBF among women in the BFC group based on their experience of any lifetime DV exposure (P=0·48). Using Cox regression analysis, there was an interaction of exposure to any lifetime DV, sexual violence and controlling behaviour, and counselling group with duration of breast-feeding at or before 6 months (P-interaction≤0·08). Among the UHM group, experience of any lifetime DV, sexual violence or controlling behaviour was associated with fewer days of EBF (P<0·05). In contrast, among the BFC group, experience of DV was not associated with duration of EBF.ConclusionsThe experience of DV compromises EBF and the support of breast-feeding counselling programmes could assist this vulnerable group towards better infant feeding practices.

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Pregnancy Intentions and Breast-Feeding Success: A Cross-Cultural Relationship

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Integrating Population Outcomes, Biological Mechanisms and Research Methods in the Study of Human Milk and Lactation ◽

10.1007/978-1-4615-0559-4_57 ◽

2002 ◽

pp. 303-304

Author(s):

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla ◽

Bridget Chinebuah

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Pregnancy Intentions ◽

Feeding Success

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Infant Feeding and Weaning Practices among Kashmiri Rural Population

JMS SKIMS ◽

10.33883/jms.v12i2.15 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 46-48

Author(s):

Tabasum Ara ◽

Khurshid Banday ◽

Afshan Gul

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Rural Women ◽

Rural Population ◽

Age Group ◽

Solid Foods ◽

On Demand ◽

Semi Solid ◽

Reconstituted Milk

Objective: The study was carried out with the aim to assess infant feeding and weaning practices among Kashmiri rural population. Materials and Methods: The present investigation comprised 85 rural women having their children in the age group of 1-24 months. Samples were selected randomly .Data was analyzed in the form of percentages, mean and standard deviation. Results: Average age of exclusive breast feeding was 9.41±2.32 months.88.23 per cent of mothers fed colostrum to their babies while as 11.77 per cent were of the opinion that it is not good for baby’s health. Only 23.52 per cent considered breast milk as a complete food for their infants. The most common reason for terminating breast feeding was subsequent pregnancy.Upto 4 months of age infants were fed on demand. Cow’s milk or reconstituted milk was introduced by 80 per cent of respondents between the ages of 9-12 months. The foods introduced were chut and biscuits softened in tea, banana, mashed rice with milk, porridge, egg, cerelac and nestum. Conclusion: Breast feeding was a universal practice in rural women. Most of the infants were fed colostrum without knowing its importance. A small percentage of subjects weaned their babies from 4-6 months of age. Hence, mothers need to be educated about the significance of colostrum and introduction of semi- solid foods at an appropriate age. J Med Sci.2009;12(2):46-48

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Protocol for a feasibility trial for improving breast feeding initiation and continuation: assets-based infant feeding help before and after birth (ABA)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019142 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e019142 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kate Jolly ◽

Jenny Ingram ◽

Joanne Clarke ◽

Debbie Johnson ◽

Heather Trickey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Feasibility Trial ◽

Study Results ◽

Service Staff ◽

Before And After ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionBreast feeding improves the health of mothers and infants; the UK has low rates, with marked socioeconomic inequalities. While trials of peer support services have been effective in some settings, UK trials have not improved breast feeding rates. Qualitative research suggests that many women are alienated by the focus on breast feeding. We propose a change from breast feeding-focused interactions to respecting a woman’s feeding choices, inclusion of behaviour change theory and an increased intensity of contacts in the 2 weeks after birth when many women cease to breast feed. This will take place alongside an assets-based approach that focuses on the positive capability of individuals, their social networks and communities.We propose a feasibility study for a multicentre randomised controlled trial of the Assets feeding help Before and After birth (ABA) infant feeding service versus usual care.Methods and analysisA two-arm, non-blinded randomised feasibility study will be conducted in two UK localities. Women expecting their first baby will be eligible, regardless of feeding intention. The ABA infant feeding intervention will apply a proactive, assets-based, woman-centred, non-judgemental approach, delivered antenatally and postnatally tailored through face-to-face contacts, telephone and SMS texts. Outcomes will test the feasibility of delivering the intervention with recommended intensity and duration to disadvantaged women; acceptability to women, feeding helpers and professionals; and feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial (RCT), detailing recruitment rates, willingness to be randomised, follow-up rates at 3 days, 8 weeks and 6 months, and level of outcome completion. Outcomes of the proposed full trial will also be collected. Mixed methods will include qualitative interviews with women/partners, feeding helpers and health service staff; feeding helper logs; and review of audio-recorded helper–women interactions to assess intervention fidelity.Ethics and disseminationStudy results will inform the design of a larger multicentre RCT. The National Research Ethics Service Committee approved the study protocol.Trial registration numberISRCTN14760978; Pre-results.

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Do early infant feeding patterns relate to breast-feeding continuation and weight gain? Data from a longitudinal cohort study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601964 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 58 (9) ◽

pp. 1290-1296 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

R E Casiday ◽

C M Wright ◽

C Panter-Brick ◽

K N Parkinson

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Longitudinal Cohort Study ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Longitudinal Cohort ◽

Early Infant ◽

Weight Gain Data

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Health Education in the Border Corridor

Practicing Anthropology ◽

10.17730/praa.13.2.w6819257508r1343 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 26-29

Author(s):

Hope Isaacs

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Infant Health ◽

Positive Impact ◽

The United States ◽

World Health ◽

Mexico Border ◽

Health Organization ◽

United States Mexico

Despite closely maintained familial connections and cultural traditions, the Hispanic population spanning the United States-Mexico border has diverged sharply from its traditional infant feeding practices. Successive reports document a trend away from the long-established cultural pattern of breast-feeding among Hispanic mothers. At the same time, World Health Organization reports have stimulated greater awareness among health care professionals of the positive impact of breast-feeding on infant health rates in Third World countries. This paper describes a multistage project undertaken by a binational team of nursing professionals and an anthropologist. Project goals were to research, design, and implement a mode of intervention which would encourage better management of infant feeding and which could be clinically applied on both the Mexican and U.S. sides of the international border.

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