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Special Issue "Breastfeeding: Benefits to Infant and Mother"

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 27 September 2023 | Viewed by 2585

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Robert D. Roghair

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Guest Editor

Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Interests: breast milk; oral feeding; prematurity; preterm infants; complementary feeds
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Successful breastfeeding has benefits for both mother and infant that extend the lifespan, including a reduction in cancer, cardiac disease, and obesity. Unfortunately, the health disparities in breastfeeding are striking, and the variable rate of breastfeeding across racial or ethnic groups and among individuals with different socioeconomic statuses is an under-appreciated public health crisis. Overall parity in breastfeeding rates through 6 months could substantially reduce the incidence of childhood infection and the devastation of sudden infant death syndrome. To improve public health and education, further data are needed regarding the short-term and long-term benefits of breastfeeding across diverse cohorts. For this Special Issue of Nutrients, I am soliciting your contributions to better define and expand our shared understanding of the global benefits of breastfeeding to infants and mothers.

Prof. Dr. Robert D. Roghair
Guest Editor

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Keywords

breast milk
cancer
infection
mortality
obesity

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Breastfeeding-Related Practices in Rural Ethiopia: Colostrum Avoidance

M. Ascensión Olcina Simón

Rosita Rotella

Jose M. Soriano

Agustin Llopis-Gonzalez

Isabel Peraita-Costa

and

María Morales-Suarez-Varela

Nutrients 2023, 15(9), 2177; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092177 - 03 May 2023

Viewed by 837

Abstract

The practices of colostrum avoidance and prelacteal feeding, which are common in many developing countries, including Ethiopia, are firmly rooted in ancient traditions. The main objective of this work is to identify the prevalence of colostrum avoidance and study its associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 2 years old in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study on the practice of colostrum avoidance/prelacteal feeding was conducted in a rural community with 114 mothers of children under 2 years old. Our results reflected that colostrum avoidance and prelacteal feeding were practiced by 56.1% of mothers. The percentage of women who started breastfeeding in the first hour after birth, as recommended by the WHO, was 2.6%. Of the women who practiced colostrum avoidance, 67.2% gave birth at home, and 65.6% were attended by relatives. The likelihood of avoiding colostrum increases in mothers who have a lower educational level, who did not receive health care at the time of delivery, who think that colostrum is dirty and dangerous and who did not receive information about breastfeeding from healthcare professionals. The knowledge emanating from this work may be useful in designing new breastfeeding education programs and/or interventions in Ethiopia and other developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breastfeeding: Benefits to Infant and Mother)

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of High Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy among Nursing Mothers in Najran, Saudi Arabia

DaifAllah D. Al-Thubaity

Mohammed A. Alshahrani

Wafaa T. Elgzar

and

Heba A. Ibrahim

Nutrients 2023, 15(8), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15081919 - 15 Apr 2023

Viewed by 635

Abstract

Many factors have been found to correlate with satisfactory Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practices. The relationships between EBF practices and associated factors are complex and multidimensional; Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSE) is the most important psychological factor that may help the mother to overcome any expected barriers. This study investigates the determinants of high breastfeeding self-efficacy among Saudi nursing mothers. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study investigating the determinant of BSE among 1577 nursing mothers in primary health centers in Najran City, Saudi Arabia. The study uses a cluster random sampling technique. Data collection was performed from June 2022 to January 2023 using a self-reported questionnaire that encompasses the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale—Short Form (BSES-SF), Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Knowledge Scale (GFBKS), Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS), and a basic data questionnaire to assess women’s demographic factors and obstetric history. Results: The mean score for all BSES-SF items was between 3.23–3.41, the highest mean score was in mothers who felt comfortable breastfeeding with family members present (3.41 ± 1.06), and the lowest mean was in mothers who could breastfeed their baby without using formula as a supplement (3.23 ± 0.94). The overall BSE score was high among 67% of the study participants. Binary logistic regression showed that being a housewife, being highly educated, having breastfeeding experience, and being multiparous are positive predictors for high BSE (p ≤ 0.001). In addition, having adequate breastfeeding knowledge and positive breastfeeding attitudes were positively associated with higher BSE (p = 0.000). Conclusion: BSE can be predicted by modifiable predictors such as mothers’ education, working status, parity, breastfeeding experience, adequate breastfeeding knowledge, and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. If such predictors are considered during breastfeeding-related educational interventions, it could lead to more effective and sustainable effects in community awareness regarding breastfeeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breastfeeding: Benefits to Infant and Mother)

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Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Maternal Ideation and Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Saudi Nursing Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Wafaa T. Elgzar

DaifAllah D. Al-Thubaity

Mohammed A. Alshahrani

Rasha M. Essa

and

Heba A. Ibrahim

Nutrients 2023, 15(7), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071719 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 793

Abstract

All mortality risk factors are higher in non-breastfed infants compared to infants under five months of age who receive Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF). Examining the predicting role of maternal ideation in EBF practices can help to direct and strengthen the cooperation between multidisciplinary healthcare providers to formulate multidisciplinary breastfeeding enhancement strategies. Methods: This correlational cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between maternal ideation and EBF practice among Saudi nursing mothers at Maternal and Children’s Hospital (MCH) in Najran, Saudi Arabia. The study incorporated 403 Saudi nursing mothers aged 6–12 months with healthy infants. The data collected using a questionnaire comprises demographic characteristics and obstetric history, the EBF Practice scale, and a maternal ideation scale. The data was collected from the beginning of November 2022 to the end of January 2023 and analyzed using I.B.M. version 22. Results: Breastfeeding initiation within one hour occurred among 85.1% of women, while 39.2% fed their newborn only colostrum during the first three days. EBF until six months was practiced by 40.9% of the participants day and night and on-demand (38.7%). Furthermore, 60.8% of the study participants had satisfactory overall EBF practices. The cognitive part of maternal ideation shows that 68.2% of the participants had adequate knowledge and 63.5% had positive beliefs regarding EBF practice. The maternal psychological ideation dimensions show that 81.4% had high EBF self-efficacy. The maternal social ideation dimensions showed that high injunctive and descriptive norms were present among 40.9% and 37.5%, respectively. In addition, healthcare providers (39.2%) had the most significant social influence, followed by husbands (30.5%). Binary logistic regression shows that the mother’s age, occupation, and education are the significant demographic predictors of satisfactory EBF practices (p < 0.05). All maternal ideation constructs were positive predictors of satisfactory EBF practices (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Maternal ideation constructs are positive predictors of satisfactory EBF practice and can be used to predict high-risk groups and plan for further intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breastfeeding: Benefits to Infant and Mother)

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Special Issue "Breastfeeding: Benefits to Infant and Mother"

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