Abstract
Background: Over the past year, there has been a rise in twin births. The current scientific consensus recommended breast-feed milk for all newborns for at least 6 months. They stated that it is possible to meet the nutritional needs of two or more newborns with only one mother’s milk. More information would be desirable about the factors that influence or lead to the initiation and interruption of breastfeeding. The quality of the evidence available from multiple studies has been inconclusive and therefore led to controversial interpretations and practices. Aims: The first aim of this study was to analyze the extent of the feeding of multiples with breast milk in the experience of our clinical unit in terms of incidence and duration. The second objective was to evaluate the correlation between maternal, perinatal and neonatal variables with breast milk feeding rates and duration. Methods: The study was conducted between 2015 and 2020, in a NICU in Southern Italy (San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia). Sixty-one women who have given birth to multiples were enrolled into the study. Newborn data were retrospectively collected by informatic database and breastfeeding information were collected by a questionnaire. Results: In our centre, the percentage of twins out of the total number of births over the years has almost doubled from 1.28% in 2015 to 2.48% in 2020 and the 88% of twins are premature. 18.1% received breast milk for more than 6 months and 6.3% received it for more than 12 months. Infants of lower gestational age and weight, born to multiparous, more mature and medium-high schooling mothers received breast milk for a longer period. 35% of women explained that the interruption of breastfeeding was due to the insufficient milk production and 41% to the stress and difficulties in managing the twins. Qualitative analysis of maternal narrative revealed, for many of them, the awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and the efforts made to try to give breast milk, but also fears about the quantity of milk and satiety of their children. Conclusions: It is important to identify the factors both favoring and obstructing maternal milk feeding of multiples and it would be desirable the activation of a network of training and support for mothers after discharge, with particular regard to the categories found to be less inclined.
Highlights
Based on a recent study [1], the highest peak of twin births in the history of humanity has been recorded in the last years; one out of every 42 births is a twin birth.Since the 1980s, the global twinning rate has increased of one-third, from 9.1 to 12.0 per1000 deliveries, with about 1.6 million twin pairs born each year.In Italy, in the last twenty years, multiple births increased by approximately 25% as a result of two factors: the rising age of new mothers and medically assisted procreation.6.6% of newborns are born before the 37th week, and a quarter are twin births, for which the likelihood of low birth weight is ten times greater
We found a statistical correlation between birth weight and the duration of feeding with both total and exclusive breast milk, with higher percentages in the category of premature babies weighing < 1735 g
The presence of other children served as a stimulus for the mothers who wanted to give the twins the same health opportunity as the other children, or the older siblings were of help in the management of younger twins
Summary
Based on a recent study [1], the highest peak of twin births in the history of humanity has been recorded in the last years; one out of every 42 births is a twin birth.Since the 1980s, the global twinning rate has increased of one-third, from 9.1 to 12.0 per1000 deliveries, with about 1.6 million twin pairs born each year.In Italy, in the last twenty years, multiple births increased by approximately 25% as a result of two factors: the rising age of new mothers and medically assisted procreation.6.6% of newborns are born before the 37th week, and a quarter are twin births, for which the likelihood of low birth weight is ten times greater. Since the 1980s, the global twinning rate has increased of one-third, from 9.1 to 12.0 per. 1000 deliveries, with about 1.6 million twin pairs born each year. In Italy, in the last twenty years, multiple births increased by approximately 25% as a result of two factors: the rising age of new mothers and medically assisted procreation. 6.6% of newborns are born before the 37th week, and a quarter are twin births, for which the likelihood of low birth weight is ten times greater. The increasing number of multiple births is related to increased rates of preterm birth and low birthweight [2]. The feeding of preterm twins is an important aspect, but the attention and data relating to this issue are limited
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