Modélisation de facteurs associés à une perception d'insuffisance lactée
Few mothers achieved the international recommendation of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding even though it’s numerous benefits both for mother and baby. Perceived insufficient milk (PIM) is a frequent reason reported by mother for stopping breastfeeding or introducing commercial milk products, especially in the first 6 weeks. Although consensus about its prevalence exists in the literature, the origin of this perception is still unexplained. Does PIM result from breastfeeding mismanagement which interferes with lactation physiologic processes or does it results from a lack of maternal confidence? This critical gap in the knowledge of determinants of PIM limits nursing intervention development. The aim of this study is to determine the relative contribution of biological and psychological variables on PIM among a group mother’s 1st time breastfeeding. To allow a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of PIM, a predictive confirmative longitudinal design was implemented from birth to 6th week postnatal. PIM model was developed through theory synthesis and include the following key variables: birth events, infant capacities, maternal capacities, supplementation, breastfeeding self-efficacy, perceived insufficient milk and breastfeeding practices. This study’s sample consisted of 252 breastfeeding 1st time mothers that were contacted at 4 points in time. At T1, the first 24 hours following birth, the participants completed a questionnaire related to their intention to initiate and maintain 6 months exclusive breastfeeding. At T2 of the study, on the 3rd day postpartum, the women completed a 2nd questionnaire regrouping the different measures used for the PIM model key variables and hand-expressed breast milk sample. On the 2nd week, T3, the women completed a questionnaire comparable to the one at T2, which was sent by mail. Lastly, the 4th study time, at the 6th week, a semi-directed telephone interview was done regarding their breastfeeding practices. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations, ascendant logistic regressions and SEM. The results suggest a simultaneous influence of infant capacities and breastfeeding self-efficacy on PIM on T2 and T3; breastfeeding self-efficacy exerting a mediating effect in between infant capacities and PIM at both T2 and T3. At T2, breastfeeding frequency was associated with a fall in Na+ breastmilk, indicating establishment of lactogenesis II. Interventions towards increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy should be developed.
Theory Perceived insufficient milk Breastfeeding self-efficacy Infant capacities Breastfeeding practices Structural equation modeling