This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Amatayakul, K. Articles by Baum, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Amatayakul, K. Articles by Baum, J. D. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Effects of Parity on Breastfeeding: A Study in the Rural Setting in Northern Thailand

Lumduan Wongsawasdi, MD

Ampica Mangklabruks, MD

Research Institute for Health Sciences; Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Antikka Tansuhaj, MSc

Somsri Ruckphaopunt

Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Pien Chiowanich, MD

Research Institute for Health Sciences; Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Michael M. Woolridge, PhD

Department of Psychology, University of Durham, UK; Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Robert F. Drewett, Dphil

Department of Midwifery Studies, University of Leeds, UK; Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

J. D. Baum, FRCP

Institute of Child Health, University of Bristol, UK; Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

This analysis was undertaken to see whether or not previous successful breastfeeding has any influence on subsequent breastfeeding behavior. Lactational outcomes were compared between those with and without breastfeeding experience. Methods: Amount of breast milk transferred, frequency of breastfeeding, and time spent on the breast, as well as infant's weight, were recorded on days 15, 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 postpartum in 30 primiparae and 30 multiparae. Outcomes of the primiparae were found to be similar to those of the more experienced breastfeeding multiparous mothers with respect to infant growth, amount of breast milk transferred, and the frequency of breastfeeding or number of attachments to the breast. Though primiparae took somewhat longer to transfer similar amounts of breast milk to their infants during the initial 45 to 90 days postpartum, feed duration after 90 days was similar to that of the multiparae. Lactation performance of the rural northern Thai mothers in our sample was highly successful with or without previous breastfeeding experience. It may be that a cultural pattern of breastfeeding on demand, strong family support, and traditional practices that encourage close contact between mother and her newborn compensate for the absence of lactational experience. Unlike reports from Western countries, previous breastfeeding does not appear to be an important predictor of successful and prolonged breastfeeding in our population.

Key Words: lactation • breastfeeding • infant's growth • parity • previous breastfeeding

Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 15, No. 2, 121-124 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/089033449901500209


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?