Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool Research Articles

Association of Using Oxytocin during Labor and Breastfeeding Behaviors of Infants within Two Hours after Birth

Background: Opioids are used to relieve pain during labor and may affect the neurobehavioral conditions of infants. However, effects of using drugs, such as oxytocin, as a routine component of pre- and post-delivery care on the breastfeeding behaviors of newborns remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the association between the maternal use of oxytocin during labor and breastfeeding behaviors of neonates within two hours after birth.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 160 women selected via convenience sampling. The participants were assigned to two groups of oxytocin administration (n=70) and physiologic delivery (n=90). Data were collected using demographic questionnaires and infant breastfeeding assessment tool (IBFAT). IBFAT was completed by the researcher through observing the behaviors of infants during breastfeeding after birth. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20, using descriptive and analytical statistics, including independent t-test, correlation-coefficients, and analysis of variance.Results: Mean age of the mothers in the oxytocin administration and physiologic delivery groups was 26.9±5.9 and 27.8±5.5 years, respectively. Breastfeeding was significantly stronger in the infants whose mothers had physiologic delivery compared to the group administered with oxytocin during labor.Conclusion: According to the results, use of oxytocin during labor directly weakens the breastfeeding of neonates. Therefore, it seems necessary to inform and prepare women for physiologic delivery during pregnancy

Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.

Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.

The effect of skin-to-skin contact at birth, early versus immediate, on the duration of exclusive human lactancy in full-term newborns treated at the Clínica Universidad de La Sabana: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BackgroundHuman lactancy is a simple and cost-effective strategy that influences infant and maternal mortality rates. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is an immediate postpartum period strategy that has proven to benefit the initiation and continuation of human lactation and to decrease hospitalization during the first week of life. This study aims to determine the effect of SSC initiation at birth (immediate versus early) in healthy, full-term newborns treated at the Universidad de La Sabana Clinic on the duration of exclusive human lactation.Methods/designA randomized, blind clinical trial will be performed with full-term healthy newborns born at the Universidad de La Sabana Clinic. The blind trial participants will be those persons measuring the results and analyzing the data. The sample size will be calculated for a type I error of 5 %, a two-tailed type II error of 20 %, and an estimated percentage loss of 30 %; 150 infants will be included in each group. Randomization will be performed using permuted, size-6 blocks. Descriptive analysis will be conducted using central tendency and dispersion measurements. A bivariate analysis will be performed to determine which variables are associated with exclusive lactancy at 6 months. For continuous variables, Student’s t test will be used for independent samples, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test will be used if the assumptions of normality for the t tests are not fulfilled. The assumption of normality will be evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Categorical variables in contingency tables will be constructed to assess the independence between variables using the chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test when the assumption of the number of cases is not met by the values in the contingency tables multiplied by two. This will be calculated as a measurement of the effect of relative risk (RR) with confidence intervals; the adjusted measurements will be calculated using a multivariate regression Poisson model. Variables with significant results will be used in the bivariate analysis, and those with biological plausibility will be used for the adjustment. The analysis will be carried out for a two-tailed type I error level of 5 %. The Stata 11 program will be used for data analysis. An interim analysis will be performed upon the submission of half the expected events (106), setting limits for the early termination of the trial according to the method proposed by Pampallona and Tsiatis (1994). Intervention: There will be two SSC randomization groups: early versus immediate. After completing the neonatal adaptation process and based on the group assignment, the mother will be left with her newborn child in hospital accommodation. Prior to discharge, the Infant Breast-Feeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) will be applied. Monitoring will initially be performed with a face-to-face assessment between 3 and 10 days of life, followed by monthly telephone calls for 6 months to verify lactation status.DiscussionSSC at birth has shown benefits in the short and long term for both the mother and the full-term newborn. Although the meta-analysis that have been done have shown the benefits of this technique, multiple differences in the SSC interventions have been identified because criteria such as the initiation or duration of SSC (dose) have not been unified. Colombia has a malnutrition risk of 11,4 % in the total population for the period 2012-2014, so it is necessary to promote strategies that generate a positive impact on the duration of human lactation, providing support from the clinical setting of humanized delivery which is included in the IAMI strategy (Instituciones Amigas de la Mujer y la Infancia – Friends of Women and Children Institution). Therefore, we propose that the initiation time of SSC in full-term new-borns is related to the duration of exclusive human lactation.Trial registrationRegistered ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 02687685. Registered on 2 February 2016. This study is not yet open for participant recruitment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1587-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of early maternal/newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth on the duration of third stage of labor and initiation of breastfeeding

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of early maternal /newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth on the duration of third stage of labor and initiation of breastfeeding. A non-randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at a labor and delivery unit of National Medical Institution in Damanhour, Albehera Governorate, Egypt. A purposive sample of 100 laboring women was recruited. The project included a study group (50) who considered skin–to-skin contact (SSC) and a control group (50) who received routine hospital care. Three tools were used to collect data. The first tool was a structured interview to elicit socio-demographic and obstetric characteristic. Second tool was an assessment of mothers during the third stage of labor. Third tool was the Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, which comprised two parts: The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT): and the outcome assessment of first breastfeeding. The results revealed that success in first breastfeeding was higher among study group compared to control group. There are statistically significant differences between the study and control groups in third stage of labor duration, complete placental separation, and immediate contraction of the uterus, position of uterus, absence of any abnormal signs such as uterine atony or excessive blood loss. The mean duration of the third stage of labor in the study group was significantly shorter (2.8 ± 0.857 minutes) than among those in the control group (11.22 ± 3.334 minutes) ( p < .01). The study concluded that mothers who practice early maternal / newborn SSC immediately after birth experience shorter duration of the third stage of labor and early successful initiation of breastfeeding. Consequently, it is recommended that a continuous educational and training program be provided to all midwives and nurses working in the delivery room about the implementation of SSC for all mothers, and clarify the benefits for the mother and her neonate.

Validity and Reliability of the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, the Mother Baby Assessment Tool, and the LATCH Scoring System

We aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT), the Mother Baby Assessment (MBA) Tool, and the LATCH scoring system. Mothers who delivered healthy, full-term infants in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Service of Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey, between December 2013 and January 2014 and their infants were included in the study. Forty-six randomly selected breastfeeding sessions were monitored and scored simultaneously by three researchers (Raters 1, 2, and 3) using LATCH, IBFAT, and the MBA Tool. Researchers put the score sheets in an envelope in order to hide them from each other. The compatibility of the scores given by three researchers was assessed by statistical methods. We found positive and significant correlation coefficients between 0.81 to 0.88 for the total MBA score, between 0.90 to 0.95 for the total IBFAT score, and between 0.85 to 0.91 for the total LATCH score. Correlation coefficients testing these three tools ranged from 0.71 to 0.88, with the minimum value being noted for the correlation between LATCH and IBFAT scores and the maximum value being noted for the correlation between LATCH and MBA scores. We found positive and significant correlations between researchers' scores for 46 observations using the three assessment tools. This study showed that these above-mentioned tools were compatible for the assessment of the efficiency of breastfeeding.

Maternal Breastfeeding Self‐Efficacy and the Breastfeeding Behaviors of Newborns in the Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding

To explore the maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy of Chinese women, the breastfeeding behaviors of newborns, and the relationship with breastfeeding outcomes at 6 weeks postpartum. Descriptive correlation study. Postnatal ward of a regional maternity hospital All postnatal Chinese women who were admitted from mid-February 2010 to mid-March 2010 with the intention of breastfeeding. The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) was used to assess neonatal breastfeeding behaviors, and a modified Chinese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (MBSES-SF) was used to examine the breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers. A total of 199 postnatal women were recruited. At 6 weeks postpartum, 85 (42.7%) infants were bottle-fed, 66 (33.2%) were complementary breastfed, and 48 (24.1%) were exclusively breastfed. The significant contributing factors for exclusive breastfeeding were women who planned to breastfeed for at least 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 5.537, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.430, 12.619], p ≤ 0.001), women with a high level of breastfeeding self-efficacy (OR =, 7.776, 95% CI [2.546, 23.748], p ≤ 0.001), and those women whose infants had high-IBFAT scores (OR = 2.381, 95% CI [1.019, 5.562], p=.045). Maternal breastfeeding confidence and newborn breastfeeding behavior are strong predictors of breastfeeding duration as well as exclusivity. Health care professionals should monitor the breastfeeding behavior of newborns and not only provide mothers with the factual information on breastfeeding but help also them to develop maternal confidence in breastfeeding before they are discharged.

Efficacy of Neonatal Release of Ankyloglossia: A Randomized Trial

Ankyloglossia has been associated with a variety of infant-feeding problems. Frenotomy commonly is performed for relief of ankyloglossia, but there has been a lack of convincing data to support this practice. Our primary objective was to determine whether frenotomy for infants with ankyloglossia improved maternal nipple pain and ability to breastfeed. A secondary objective was to determine whether frenotomy improved the length of breastfeeding. Over a 12-month period, neonates who had difficulty breastfeeding and significant ankyloglossia were enrolled in this randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial and assigned to either a frenotomy (30 infants) or a sham procedure (28 infants). Breastfeeding was assessed by a preintervention and postintervention nipple-pain scale and the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. The same tools were used at the 2-week follow-up and regularly scheduled follow-ups over a 1-year period. The infants in the sham group were given a frenotomy before or at the 2-week follow-up if it was desired. Both groups demonstrated statistically significantly decreased pain scores after the intervention. The frenotomy group improved significantly more than the sham group (P < .001). Breastfeeding scores significantly improved in the frenotomy group (P = .029) without a significant change in the control group. All but 1 parent in the sham group elected to have the procedure performed when their infant reached 2 weeks of age, which prevented additional comparisons between the 2 groups. We demonstrated immediate improvement in nipple-pain and breastfeeding scores, despite a placebo effect on nipple pain. This should provide convincing evidence for those seeking a frenotomy for infants with signficant ankyloglossia.

Peer counselors improve breastfeeding technique among low‐income, obese women

Data included in these analyses are from a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) (N=206) evaluating a specialized (SP) peer counseling intervention targeting obese women (3 prenatal, daily hospital and 11 postpartum (pp) visits). The control group received standard (std) care including access to a std peer counselor (PC). These analyses include 45 women from the RCT (Intervention n=22, Control n=23). The objective was to evaluate the impact of a SP breastfeeding (BF) PC on BF technique. Two BF sessions were taped on days 2, 4, and 7 pp. Tapes were edited to remove identifying characteristics and rated independently by 3 Lactation Consultants using the Infant BF Assessment Tool (IBFAT) and Via Christi BF Assessment Tool (VC). T‐tests revealed no significant difference on days 2 or 4 pp. On day 7 pp better BF technique was observed in the intervention group with significantly higher VC scores vs. controls (7.5±1.0 vs. 5.6±3.3, respectively p=.026). IBFAT scores tended to be higher in the intervention vs. controls (11.5±1.2 vs. 9.4±4.3, p=.068, respectively). Maternal report of PC contact during the first week pp was significantly higher in the intervention group vs. controls (143.8±101.6 vs. 39.8±37.1 mins respectively, p=.001). These preliminary findings suggest specialized BF PC provided at a high intensity during the first week pp improved BF technique by day 7 pp.Funded by CDC/ATPR and NIH/NCMHD Grant P20MD001765

Risk factors for early lactation problems among Peruvian primiparous mothers

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for early lactation problems [suboptimal infant breastfeeding behaviour (SIBB), delayed onset of lactogenesis (OL) and excessive neonatal weight loss] among mother-infant pairs in Lima, Peru. All primiparous mothers who gave birth to a healthy, single, term infant at a government hospital in a peri-urban area of Lima during the 8-month recruitment period were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected at the hospital (day 0) and during a home visit (day 3). Infant breastfeeding behaviour was evaluated using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool; SIBB was defined as < or = 10 score. OL was determined by maternal report of breast fullness changes; delayed OL was defined as perceived after 72 h. Excessive neonatal weight loss was defined as > or = 10% of birthweight by day 3. One hundred seventy-one mother-infant pairs participated in the study. SIBB prevalence was 52% on day 0 and 21% on day 3; it was associated with male infant gender (day 0), < 8 breastfeeds during the first 24 h (days 0 and 3), and gestational age < 39 weeks (day 3). Delayed OL incidence was 17% and was associated with infant Apgar score < 8. Excessive neonatal weight loss occurred in 10% of neonates and was associated with maternal overweight and Caesarean-section delivery. Early lactation problems may be influenced by modifiable factors such as delivery mode and breastfeeding frequency. Infant status at birth and maternal characteristics could indicate when breastfeeding dyads need extra support.

Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) scoring discrepancy between mothers and lactation consultants

Our objective was to determine the correlation between maternal vs. Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant's (IBCLC) rating of a breastfeeding (BF) session. We analyzed results from an ongoing study assessing BF techniques of low‐income, predominantly Latina, obese women. Two BF sessions were videotaped on days 2, 4, and 7 postpartum (pp) for a total of six sessions per participant. Maternal IBFAT scores (n=14) were obtained immediately after BF. A panel of three IBCLC's are independently rating each videotaped session. Spearman correlation coefficients were assessed to determine the similarity between maternal and IBCLC ratings. Preliminary ratings completed by one IBCLC showed essentially no correlation between maternal and IBCLC scores on day 2 pp (rho=.001) and a negative correlation on day 7 pp (rho=‐.464). Additionally, the maternal ratings of rooting, fixing, and sucking pattern were not significantly correlated to total maternal IBFAT scores on day 7 pp (rho=.272, .085, and .080 respectively) and IBCLC ratings of rooting and fixing items were not significantly correlated to the total IBCLC score on day 7 pp (rho=.117 and .139 respectively). These preliminary finding suggest a lack of maternal comprehension of the components of a successful BF session and demonstrate inconsistencies between maternal and IBCLC ratings for specific scale items. Funded by CDC via subcontract with APTR.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Very Early Mother–Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding Status

This study was done to evaluate effects of maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact during the first 2 hours postbirth compared to standard care (holding the infant swaddled in blankets) on breastfeeding outcomes through 1 month follow-up. Healthy primiparous mother-infant dyads were randomly assigned by computerized minimization to skin-to-skin contact (n = 10) or standard care (n = 10). The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool was used to measure success of first breastfeeding and time to effective breastfeeding (time of the first of three consecutive scores of 10-12). Intervention dyads experienced a mean of 1.66 hours of skin-to-skin contact. These infants, compared to swaddled infants, had higher mean sucking competency during the first breastfeeding (8.7 +/- 2.1 vs 6.3 +/- 2.6; P < .02) and achieved effective breastfeeding sooner (935 +/- 721 minutes vs 1737 +/- 1001; P < .04). No significant differences were found in number of breastfeeding problems encountered during follow-up (30.9 +/- 5.51 vs 32.7 +/- 5.84; P < .25) or in breastfeeding exclusivity (1.50 +/- 1.1 vs 2.10 +/- 2.2; P < .45). Sucking competency was also related to maternal nipple protractility (r = .48; P < .03). Very early skin-to-skin contact enhanced breastfeeding success during the early postpartum period. No significant differences were found at 1 month.

Evaluation of Breastfeeding of Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Can We Use the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT, Matthews, 1993) to assess breastfeeding in very low birth weight (VLBW, < 1.5 kg) infants. Thirty-four mothers of singleton VLBW infants completed the IBFAT and underwent a standardized feeding observation at 35 weeks corrected age. Median feeding duration was 14.5 minutes (range, 1-20), intake per feed was 6.0 mL (range, 0-60), and intake rate was 0.5 mL/minute (range, 0-3). IBFAT scores were correlated with feeding observation measures. The IBFAT summary score was significantly correlated with milk intake volume (r = 0.651, P < .001) and intake rate (r = 0.559, P = .001). The IBFAT sucking quality score was significantly associated with percent time sucking (r = 0.559, P = .001) and sucking bursts (r = 0.632, P< .001 on the feeding observation. The authors conclude that although IBFAT scores correlated with objective feeding measures, these data do not support use of the IBFAT to identify infants with adequate as compared to inadequate intakes. Further study is needed.

Factors Related to Neonatal Suckling in the Initiation of Breastfeeding in Primiparous Mothers

【Purpose: This study was conducted to discover the related factors of neonatal suckling in the initiation of breastfeeding in primiparous mothers and to provide basic data for promoting nursing intervention strategies to improve the practice of breastfeeding. Method: The subjects of this study were 71 primiparous mothers who had normal vaginal deliveries at one obstetric hospital in P metropolitan city and one delivery center in J city. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS program. Result: The average IBFAT(Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool) score was 9.6 $\pm$ 2.3. The general characteristics studied that had a significant influence on neonatal suckling in the initiation of breastfeeding were the place of delivery (ex: Hospital, Postnatal Unit), whether oxytocin was used, no usage of analgesic medication, amount of satisfaction after the first breastfeeding weight of the newborns and the Apgar score at one minute. Conclusions: A higher IBFAT score was related to primiparous mothers who had a hospital delivery, received oxytocin, received maternal labour analgesics, neonatal weight, Apgar score at one minute, and satisfaction after the first breastfeeding.】

Risk Factors for Suboptimal Infant Breastfeeding Behavior, Delayed Onset of Lactation, and Excess Neonatal Weight Loss

Even mothers who strongly want to breast feed their infants could have difficulty getting started. This prospective community-based study was an attempt to identify risk factors other than sociocultural barriers that arerelated to poor lactation outcomes. Risk factors were sought for suboptimal infant breastfeeding behavior (SIBB), delayed lactation, and excessive neonatal weight loss. Participants gave birth to a healthy single infant at term and were willing to try breast feeding exclusively for at least 30 days. Trained lactation consultants provided guidance in such areas as correct positioning, demand feeding, and avoidance of supplements, and also evaluated infant breastfeeding behavior using the Infant Breast-feeding Assessment Tool. Weight loss exceeding 10% of birth weight on day 3 was considered excessive. The mean maternal age was 30.6 years and 56% of mothers were primiparous. Nearly 80% of subjects were non-Hispanic whites. The average educational level was high. These mothers expressed strongly positive attitudes toward breast feeding. SIBB was found in 49% of infants at baseline, 22% on day 3 and 14% on day 7. It correlated significantly with primiparity on days 0 and 3, with cesarean section (day 0 in multiparas), and with flat or inverted nipples. Other significant correlates of SIBB included using nonbreast milk fluids in the first 2 days of life, use of a pacifier, stage II labor lasting longer than 1 hour, and a maternal body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 kg/m 2 . Lactation was delayed in 22% of women, more frequently in primiparas, after cesarean section, and women having a prolonged second stage of labor, a high material BMI, flat or inverted nipples, or (in primiparas) a birth weight greater than 3600 g. Excessive weight loss was observed in 12% of neonates. It correlated with primiparity, a long labor, the use of labor medication (by multiparas), and infant status at birth. Excessive weight loss was 7.1-fold more likely if lactation was delayed and 2.6-fold more likely if SIBB was present on the first day of life.

Risk factors for suboptimal infant breastfeeding behavior, delayed onset of lactation, and excess neonatal weight loss.

Some mothers have difficulty initiating lactation even when highly motivated to breastfeed. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for suboptimal infant breastfeeding behavior (SIBB), delayed onset of lactation, and excess neonatal weight loss among mother-infant pairs in a population with high educational levels and motivation to breastfeed. All mothers residing in Davis, California, who gave birth to a healthy, single, term infant at 1 of 5 area hospitals during the 10-month recruitment period in 1999 were invited to participate if they were willing to attempt to breastfeed exclusively for at least 1 month. Lactation guidance was provided and data were collected in the hospital (day 0) and on days 3, 5, 7, and 14. Infant breastfeeding behavior was evaluated by trained lactation consultants using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. Onset of lactation was defined based on maternal report of changes in breast fullness. Infant weight loss was considered excessive if it was >or=10% of birth weight by day 3. Of the 328 eligible mothers, 280 (85%) participated in the study. The prevalence of SIBB was 49% on day 0, 22% on day 3, and 14% on day 7. SIBB was significantly associated with primiparity (days 0 and 3), cesarean section (in multiparas, day 0), flat or inverted nipples, infant status at birth (days 0 and 3), use of nonbreast milk fluids in the first 48 hours (days 3 and 7), pacifier use (day 3), stage II labor >1 hour (day 7), maternal body mass index >27 kg/m(2) (day 7) and birth weight <3600 g (day 7). Delayed onset of lactation (>72 hours) occurred in 22% of women and was associated with primiparity, cesarean section, stage II labor >1 hour, maternal body mass index >27 kg/m(2), flat or inverted nipples, and birth weight >3600 g (in primiparas). Excess weight loss occurred in 12% of infants and was associated with primiparity, long duration of labor, use of labor medications (in multiparas), and infant status at birth. The risk of excess infant weight loss was 7.1 times greater if the mother had delayed onset of lactation, and 2.6 times greater if the infant had SIBB on day 0. Early lactation success is strongly influenced by parity, but may also be affected by potentially modifiable factors such as delivery mode, duration of labor, labor medications, use of nonbreast milk fluids and/or pacifiers, and maternal overweight. All breastfeeding mother-infant pairs should be evaluated at 72 to 96 hours' postpartum.

The effect of labor pain relief medication on neonatal suckling and breastfeeding duration.

We examined the relationship of labor pain relief medications with neonatal suckling and breastfeeding duration in 129 mothers delivering vaginally. Suckling was measured using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT). Controlling for infant age, birthweight, and gender, infants of unmedicated mothers had higher IBFAT suckling scores than those of medicated mothers (x = 11.1 vs. x = 8.2 respectively, P = .001). IBFAT suckling scores for intravenous and epidural groups were similar (x = 8.5) while those who received a combination of both intravenous and epidural medications were lower (x = 6.4 +/- 2.96, P = .001). Mothers evaluated their breastfeeding similarly to nurse evaluators (Z = 9.39, P = .001). Breastfeeding duration did not differ between unmedicated and medicated groups; however, dyads with low IBFAT scores weaned earlier than those with medium or high scores. Labor pain relief medications diminish early suckling but are not associated with duration of breastfeeding through 6 weeks postpartum.

Relationship between obstetric analgesia and time of effective breast feeding

The Infant Breast-feeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) was used to assess the time of effective breast feeding in 48 healthy term infants born to mothers having their first or second baby. Infants of mothers who received an analgesia (butorphanol or nalbuphine) in labor ( n = 26) were compared with infants whose mothers did not receive any labor analgesia ( n = 22). Timing of the administration of labor analgesia was also examined with infants whose mothers received no analgesia or analgesia within an hour of birth compared with infants whose mothers received analgesia more than one hour before birth. Infants of first-time breast-feeding mothers took longer to establish effective feeding compared with infants of second-time breast-feeding mothers. Male infants also took longer. Labor analgesia significantly affected mother-rated IBFAT scores when initiation time was considered. Infants who received analgesia within an hour of birth, or no analgesia, and who initiated breast feeding early, established effective feeding significantly earlier than infants with longer duration of analgesia and later initiation of breast feeding.

Assessments And Suggested Interventions to Assist Newborn Breastfeeding Behavior

Assessment of the newborn infant in the first few days after birth is important to ensure that the newborn and mother are beginning to establish lactation successfully. This article discusses breastfeeding assessment of the healthy neonate and includes a description of the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT), a checklist on which neonatal breastfeeding behavior can be scored. Some interventions are suggested for those babies who may be having difficulties.

The relationship between maternal labour analgesia and delay in the initiation of breastfeeding in healthy neonates in the early neonatal period

An Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool was used to assess the breastfeeding behaviour of 38 healthy, full-term newborn babies of multiparous women from birth until effective feeding was established. After data collection was completed, the babies were divided into a non-medicated group (n = 18) and an alphaprodine group (n = 20) based upon the medication profile of the mother. Inter-group differences were analysed using ANOVA and Dunnett's t-test. The dependent variables were the hours from birth to establishing effective breastfeeding and IBFAT scores at 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after birth. The findings suggest that even small doses of the narcotic analgesic alphaprodine, when administered 1 to 3 hours prior to delivery, can delay effective feeding by several hours and in some cases, days.