Obstetric Factors Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding in Japanese Women Who Expected Exclusive Breastfeeding Before Delivery at Term

Background: We examined the obstetric factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month after singleton delivery at term in Japanese women who expected exclusive breastfeeding before delivery.  Methods: We reviewed the obstetric records associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month after singleton delivery at 37 - 41 weeks’ gestation in 600 women who expected exclusive breastfeeding before delivery. Obstetric factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding were selected as follows: maternal age, parity, hypertensive disorders, oxytocin use during labor, delivery mode, neonatal birth weight, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal respiratory disorders requiring supplemental oxygen therapy ≥ 1 hour, early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after vaginal delivery, neonatal care unit admission and maternal blood loss at delivery.  Results: Of the 600 women, 347 women (57.8%) resulted in exclusive breastfeeding for their babies at 1 month after delivery. Using logistic multivariable regression analysis, exclusive breastfeeding was significantly associated with neonatal birth weight ≥ 3,500 g (adjusted OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37 - 0.94, P = 0.03) and early SSC in cases of vaginal delivery (adjusted OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.0 - 2.6, P = 0.046). In this study, exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month after delivery did not seem to be associated with other obstetric outcomes.  Conclusions: There were not any significant obstetric factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month after delivery at term. Early SSC in cases of vaginal delivery under safety management seemed to contribute to the increased prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Japanese women. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jcgo75w