A prospective study of the effect of delivery type on neonatal weight gain pattern in exclusively breastfed neonates born in Shiraz, Iran

Azadeh Saki,Kazem Mohammad,Mohammad R Eshraghian,Mohammad R Bordbar,Abbas Rahimi Foroushani

doi:10.1186/1746-4358-5-1

Abstract

BackgroundIn this exploratory study, the contribution of delivery type to the weight gain pattern for full-term infants with exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of infancy was determined. In addition, breastfeeding success among cesarean section (C-section) delivery mothers based on their neonate's weight gain at the end of the first month of infancy was evaluated.MethodsA cohort of 92 neonates born in Shiraz, from July 10 to August 10, 2007 was followed longitudinally. The data were collected during the first month postpartum at three occasions: 3 to 7 days postpartum, 10-21 days postpartum and 24-31 days postpartum.ResultsAmong 92 mothers in this study, 35 (38%) were delivered by C-section. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) showed that delivery type (p < 0.01), receipt of advice about breastfeeding (p = 0.03) and neonate's age (p < 0.01) significantly affected weight gain. GEE estimated the values of the parameters under study and the testing contribution of each factor to weight gain, leading to the conclusion that gender, parities and maternal education did not contribute to weight gain. The neonate's weight gain pattern for C-section deliveries lies below that of normal vaginal deliveries until 25 days postpartum, when weight gain for C-section deliveries became higher than that for normal vaginal deliveries.ConclusionsType of delivery contributes strongly to the weight gain pattern in the first month of infancy. In spite of greater weight loss among C-section birth neonates in the first days of life, at the end of the first month neonates showed a similar weight gain. Consequently, mothers with C-section delivery can successfully exclusively breastfeed.

Highlights

In this exploratory study, the contribution of delivery type to the weight gain pattern for full-term infants with exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of infancy was determined
Extensive research on the biology of human milk and health outcomes associated with normal methods of infant feeding have established that breastfeeding is more beneficial than formula feeding, breastfed infants initially lose more weight and take longer to regain their birth weight than formula fed infants [9,10,11,12,13,14]
Sample collection and follow-up A sample of mothers of singleton full-term infants weighing ≥ 2500 g who were exclusively breastfeeding [25] and presented at Shiraz health care centers within three to seven days postpartum were recruited to participate in the study

Summary

Introduction

The contribution of delivery type to the weight gain pattern for full-term infants with exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of infancy was determined. Breastfeeding success among cesarean section (C-section) delivery mothers based on their neonate’s weight gain at the end of the first month of infancy was evaluated. It is normal for newborns to lose weight during the first days of life. Much of this weight loss is thought to be due to changes in the volume and distribution of water in the body, some studies show that early skin-to-skin contact, initiating breastfeeding as soon as possible, and feeding practices influence the degree of weight loss [1,2,3,4,5].

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