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Mothers' experiences of pain during breastfeeding in the early postnatal period : A short report in a Swedish context

Johansson, Margareta ; Fenwick, Jennifer and Thies-Lagergren, Li LU orcid (2020) In American Journal of Human Biology 32(3).
Abstract

Objectives: The objective was to investigate the prevalence of mothers who experienced pain during breastfeeding in the early postnatal period and to describe associated factors. Methods: Medical records of 987 mothers and their babies were scrutinized. Chi-square Test, McNemar's test, and relative risk with a 95% confidence interval were applied for analysis. Results: During the in-hospital postnatal stay, 19.5% mothers experienced pain during breastfeeding. At discharge, the rate was 8.8% (ρ <.001) and at the follow-up hospital visit 2 to 3 days after birth 17.5% (ρ =.104). Pain when breastfeeding was associated with primiparity (RR 2.02; 95% CI 1.53-2.66), epidural block during labor (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.17-1.94), cracked nipples... (More)

Objectives: The objective was to investigate the prevalence of mothers who experienced pain during breastfeeding in the early postnatal period and to describe associated factors. Methods: Medical records of 987 mothers and their babies were scrutinized. Chi-square Test, McNemar's test, and relative risk with a 95% confidence interval were applied for analysis. Results: During the in-hospital postnatal stay, 19.5% mothers experienced pain during breastfeeding. At discharge, the rate was 8.8% (ρ <.001) and at the follow-up hospital visit 2 to 3 days after birth 17.5% (ρ =.104). Pain when breastfeeding was associated with primiparity (RR 2.02; 95% CI 1.53-2.66), epidural block during labor (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.17-1.94), cracked nipples (RR 5.94; 95% CI 4.84-7.27), the use of a nipple shield (RR 6.34; 95% CI 5.43-7.41), supplementary feeding (RR 2.19; 95% CI 1.71-2.80), and longer hospital stay (RR 1.88; 95% CI 1.46-2.42). Conclusions: During the early postnatal period, Swedish mothers commonly experienced pain during breastfeeding. Although the rate dropped at discharge, it rose again by the time mothers returned for their follow-up visit. The rebound rate could be explained by breast engorgement, a baby's shallow latch or the effect of an epidural block. Midwives and nurses assisting women during intrapartum and postpartum care must be aware of factors associated with pain during early breastfeeding.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
American Journal of Human Biology
volume
32
issue
3
article number
e23363
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85076295710
  • pmid:31800150
ISSN
1042-0533
DOI
10.1002/ajhb.23363
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3ec503b9-6585-4e95-866a-56d1ba5873f3
date added to LUP
2021-01-14 15:29:38
date last changed
2024-06-28 09:25:49
@article{3ec503b9-6585-4e95-866a-56d1ba5873f3,
  abstract     = {{<p>Objectives: The objective was to investigate the prevalence of mothers who experienced pain during breastfeeding in the early postnatal period and to describe associated factors. Methods: Medical records of 987 mothers and their babies were scrutinized. Chi-square Test, McNemar's test, and relative risk with a 95% confidence interval were applied for analysis. Results: During the in-hospital postnatal stay, 19.5% mothers experienced pain during breastfeeding. At discharge, the rate was 8.8% (ρ &lt;.001) and at the follow-up hospital visit 2 to 3 days after birth 17.5% (ρ =.104). Pain when breastfeeding was associated with primiparity (RR 2.02; 95% CI 1.53-2.66), epidural block during labor (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.17-1.94), cracked nipples (RR 5.94; 95% CI 4.84-7.27), the use of a nipple shield (RR 6.34; 95% CI 5.43-7.41), supplementary feeding (RR 2.19; 95% CI 1.71-2.80), and longer hospital stay (RR 1.88; 95% CI 1.46-2.42). Conclusions: During the early postnatal period, Swedish mothers commonly experienced pain during breastfeeding. Although the rate dropped at discharge, it rose again by the time mothers returned for their follow-up visit. The rebound rate could be explained by breast engorgement, a baby's shallow latch or the effect of an epidural block. Midwives and nurses assisting women during intrapartum and postpartum care must be aware of factors associated with pain during early breastfeeding.</p>}},
  author       = {{Johansson, Margareta and Fenwick, Jennifer and Thies-Lagergren, Li}},
  issn         = {{1042-0533}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  number       = {{3}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{American Journal of Human Biology}},
  title        = {{Mothers' experiences of pain during breastfeeding in the early postnatal period : A short report in a Swedish context}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23363}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/ajhb.23363}},
  volume       = {{32}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}