Profile and pattern of infants with mothers having lactation failure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20204047Keywords:
Breastfeeding, Counselling, Infants, Lactation failure, MothersAbstract
Background: Breastfeeding mothers face various kinds of problems to breastfeeding. Literature on the frequency and outcome of perceived breast milk insufficiency in mothers of hospitalized neonates in India is patchy and scanty.
Methods: Neonates weighing 1000 grams or more, and their mothers willing to breastfeed formed the study population. Relevant history was taken and clinical examination was performed along with anthropometry of the baby at the time of enrolment in the study. Mothers of neonates were also interviewed. Breast milk was also analyzed for sodium level by ion selective electrophoresis. Weight, head circumference and height were measured at each visit.
Results: Of total 285 mothers, 188 mothers (65.9%) said that their milk formation was not sufficient and remaining 97 mothers said that their milk formation was sufficient to fulfil the needs of newborn. Breast milk sodium level was >16 mmol/L in 142 (75.5%) mothers in the crisis group as compared to 21 (21.6%) in the non crisis group. Babies in the crisis group weighed significantly less at admission as well as discharge. The proportion of sick babies, use of bottles/pacifiers and pre lacteal feeds was significantly higher in the crisis group. The velocity of growth of neonates after discharge in both the groups was comparable.
Conclusions: Lactation failure was more common among those mothers who were involved in delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Structured counselling sessions with reinforcement on lactation support were proved to be useful to mitigate the situation.
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