Factors Associated with Breastfeeding at One Month Postpartum: Focus on Nursing Guidance and Mothers' Breastfeeding Behavior

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to clarify the factors associated with breastfeeding at one month postpartum, with focusing on midwives' nursing guidance and mothers' breastfeeding behavior. A total of 158 mothers who participated in a medical examination two weeks after delivery were followed up with a questionnaire at two weeks and one month postpartum. Furthermore, we conducted multiple logistic regression analyses with breastfeeding at the one-month health checkup as the dependent variable and breastfeeding guidance and mothers' breastfeeding behavior as independent variables adjusted for birth history and delivery method, which were the confounding factors. For nursing guidance, we examined 149 individuals without missing data. In total, 71 (47.7%) mothers were found to be breastfeeding at one month postpartum. Breastfeeding probabilities were significantly higher in mothers who received guidance regarding the meaning of their infants' crying, changes in breast tension, breast care, and mothers' milk production, which were measured, with odds ratios ranging from 2.47 to 3.68. Breastfeeding odds ratios were significantly higher in mothers who inserted the nipple deeply into the baby's mouth such that the baby's lips spread outward, as well as in those who breastfed until the breast felt light and those who breastfed eight times a day than in mothers who did not, with odds ratios ranging from 2.27 to 5.86. This study indicated that early postpartum support, including guidance regarding the meaning of infants' crying, changes in breast tension, breast care, lactation measurement, and proper breastfeeding methods, is crucial in establishing breastfeeding.