Breastfeeding Situation Research Articles

Prevalence of breastfeeding in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo

OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of breastfeeding in the city of São Carlos. METHOD: For the collection and treatment of data regarding prevalence of breastfeeding we used the LACMAT 3.3 program. During Vacination National Day (1998, August 15) 3,326 persons responsible for children 2 years old or younger were interviewed. RESULTS: It was verified that 52.4% of the children under a month old were on exclusive breastfeeding. Out of 532 children under 4 months old, 73.3% were being breast fed: 37.8% exclusively breast fed and 17.3% under predominant breastfeeding. It was observed that 31.7% of the children under 4 months received some other form of nourishment, such as fruit and mush, and on the fifth month, this percentage went to 62.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that the situation of breastfeeding in São Carlos is far from what the WHO recommends, this confirming the need to implement actions of promotion, protection, and support to breastfeeding in the health public services of the municipality.

Neuroendocrinology of the mother—child interaction

Mother-child interaction is usually described in psychological terms; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that neuroendocrine mechanisms are involved in the mother-child interaction. Mother and fetus influence each other by hormonal mechanisms in utero, and after birth, mother and child interact by way of sensory stimulation. In the breastfeeding situation, the infant's suckling stimulates maternal oxytocin and PRL release and, thereby, milk production and release. In addition, oxytocin, by way of circulating and central neurogenic oxytocinergic mechanisms, adapts maternal physiology and endocrinology to allow milk production. At the same time, suckling influences the physiology and endocrinology of the infant to optimize the growth process. It seems that tactile, olfactory, visual, and perhaps other types of sensory stimuli contribute to the adaptive changes in both mother and infant. In addition, behavioral changes are induced in the mother in connection with birth and breastfeeding. Data are accumulating that suggest that the attachment between mother and infant is facilitated by skin-to-skin contact early postpartum. Furthermore, calm and social interactive behavior is promoted in the mother. Central oxytocinergic mechanisms activated in connection with birth and breastfeeding seem to be involved in the behavioral changes.

Perspectives of common breastfeeding situations: a known group comparison.

Infant feeding choice is influenced by social and cultural factors, as reflected in sociodemographic correlates of breastfeeding, which show consistently low breastfeeding rates among women from low-income populations. This study examines attitudes and beliefs that are thought to affect feeding choice and breastfeeding behavior among diverse social and cultural groups. A breastfeeding behavior questionnaire asking women to respond to a variety of breastfeeding situations presented as narratives was administered to members of a La Leche League group and to a group of WIC participants. Results support the idea that different social groups of women display divergent attitudes toward and perceptions of breastfeeding. Although small sample size prohibits generalization of results, the findings reinforce the necessity of designing breastfeeding education programs within specific cultural contexts.

Psychosomatic Interaction between Mother and Infant during Breast Feeding

Within the context of a major research project on the impact of mother's depression on breast feeding, this study presents a qualitative analysis of mother-infant interaction during a single breast feeding situation. From the holistic perspective there emerged five central themes of interaction, which all displayed a different purpose. Mothers had quite often difficulties in psychosomatic interaction during a phase of hungry eating. More detailed analysis revealed some interesting differences between the depressed and nondepressed mothers.

Management of selected early breastfeeding problems seen in clinical practice.

Management guidelines for six common clusters of breastfeeding situations or problems commonly seen in clinical practice are discussed. These include inadequate infant weight gain, insufficient milk supply, nipple problems, latch-on and sucking disorganization, high-risk situations, and the "good baby" syndrome. Charts are provided describing devices and specialized techniques from which to choose when creating a feeding plan.

Release of GI hormones in mother and infant by sensory stimulation.

It is well established that sensory stimulation is of great importance for the growth of and for the physiological and psychological development of infants. Supplementary sensory stimulation such as non-nutritive sucking and tactile stimulation has been shown to increase the growth rate and the maturation of premature infants. In human neonates non-nutritive sucking has a vagally mediated influence on the levels of some gastrointestinal hormones. In animal experiments afferent electrical stimulations of the sciatic nerves at low intensity leads to an activation of the vagal nerves and to a consequent release of vagally controlled gastrointestinal hormones such as gastrin and cholecystokinin. We therefore assume that both non-nutritive sucking and tactile stimulation trigger the activity of sensory nerves which leads to a release of vagally regulated gut hormones. Since gut hormones stimulate gastrointestinal motor and secretory activity and the growth of the gastrointestinal tract, and enhance the glucose-induced insulin release, they may contribute to the beneficial effects on maturation and growth caused by sensory stimulation. In the breast-feeding situation, the sucking of the child elicits similar reflexes in the mother leading to an activation of the maternal gut endocrine system and a consequent increase in energy uptake. These data indicate that many types of neurogenic reflexes induced in mother-infant interactions are of importance for the energy economy of both mother and child.

Infant feeding in urban Kenya: a pattern of early triple nipple feeding.

Journal Article Infant Feeding in Urban Kenya: A Pattern of Early Triple Nipple Feeding Get access M. C. Latham, M. C. Latham Professor of International Nutrition *Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY 14853, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar T. C. Elliott, T. C. Elliott Research Specialist **Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY 14853, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar B. Winikoff, B. Winikoff Senior Medical Associate ***International Programs, The Population CouncilOne Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. Kekovole, J. Kekovole Senior Economist/Statistician †Central Bureau of StatisticsBox 30266, Nairobi, Kenya Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar P. Van Esterik P. Van Esterik Assistant Professor of Anthropology ††York UniversityToronto, Ontario, Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, Volume 32, Issue 6, December 1986, Pages 276–280, https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/32.6.276 Published: 01 December 1986

ALEITAMENTO MATERNO EXCLUSIVO E O PROGRAMA SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA DA CHAPADA, MUNICÍPIO DE APORÁ (BA)

The main objective of this qualitative study, was to verify the variables that interfere in the practice of breastfeeding puerperal women with children from 0 to 12 months, treated in the Family Health Program (PSF) in the Chapada region, district of Apora, Bahia. For the feasibility a Estudante do Curso de Especializacao em Neonatologia da Universidade do Estado da Bahia (UNEB). Endereco para correspondencia: Rua Piracicaba, Cond. Parque Lagoa Grande, Qd. C, Bloco 28, apto 01, Bairro Caseb – Feira de Santana – CEP: 44040130. E-mail: tamara_enfermagem@hotmail.com. b Orientadora e Coordenadora do Curso de Especializacao em Neonatologia da UNEB. Revista Baiana de Saude Publica 39 of this research, the semi-structured interview was utilized as data-gathering technique, performed during nursing consultations and home visits. The aim was to define the diagnosis of the breastfeeding situation in this population in order to establish goals and elaborate intervention strategies to encourage the practice of maternal breastfeeding. The fieldwork was performed in the area of coverage of the PSF of the Chapada region, district of Apora, Bahia. The data analysis was realized using Content Analysis methodology. The results illustrated that the majority of the puerperal women stopped breastfeeding their children exclusively before they reached sixth months of age due to the myths and taboos still existent. The recommendations to encourage the practice of exclusive maternal breastfeeding included meetings, orientations, chats, and seminars.