Breastfeeding Twins: Factors Related to Weaning.

BACKGROUND: Many factors may influence a woman's decision to start and maintain breastfeeding. Research aim: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with breastfeeding cessation in twin infants during the first 6 months after birth and to describe the main reasons for weaning cited by mothers of twins. METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis of a prospective randomized trial conducted in Brazil. Data were obtained through longitudinal quantitative and qualitative self-reported interviews. One hundred twenty-eight women pregnant with twins and their 256 infants were followed for up to approximately 6 months, during which time breastfeeding data were obtained through face-to-face interviews at three different points after birth: 30 to 40 days (Time 1), 90 days (Time 2), and 180 days (Time 3). The association between weaning and the investigated factors was examined using survival analysis methodologies. RESULTS: Nonexclusive breastfeeding ( p = .004, Cox proportional hazards regression model), a lack of support during the lactation period ( p = .001), difficulty breastfeeding ( p = .003), a breastfeeding duration shorter than 12 months in a previous pregnancy ( p = .001), and infants' birth weight less than 2,300 g ( p < .001) were the factors associated with breastfeeding cessation. The main reasons for weaning cited by mothers of twins were insufficient human milk supply, infants' behavior, and returning to work. CONCLUSION: We have identified the factors associated with weaning in twin infants during the first 180 days of life. This knowledge can help improve strategies to increase breastfeeding rates in twins.

Effect of Prenatal Counseling on Breastfeeding Rates in Mothers of Twins.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of antenatal breastfeeding counseling on the breastfeeding rates for women who give birth to twins. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SETTING: Multiple Pregnancy Unit, Obstetrics Department, University of São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 171 mothers of twins and their 342 infants. METHODS: The participants were randomized into the prenatal counseling group (PCG) or control group (CG). Breastfeeding data were collected through personal interviews at three times after birth: 30 to 40 days (Time 1), 90 days (Time 2), and 180 days (Time 3). The primary endpoint was a comparison of the mothers' breastfeeding rates between PCG and CG in each analyzed period. The secondary endpoint was the comparison of the overall rates of twin infant breastfeeding between PCG and CG until 180 days after birth. RESULTS: The final analysis included 68 women pregnant with twins in the PCG and 60 in the CG. There was no significant difference in the breastfeeding rates between PCG and CG in the analyzed periods: Time 1 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.71, 4.95]), Time 2 (OR = 1.50, 95% CI [0.72, 3.10]), and Time 3 (OR = 1.06, 95% CI [0.51, 2.19]). Also, no difference existed in the overall rates of breastfeeding between PCG and CG at 180 days. CONCLUSION: In women pregnant with twins, antenatal breastfeeding counseling did not significantly affect the breastfeeding rates. Further research about the best moment to counsel mothers of twins is needed to improve breastfeeding rates.

Evaluation of information retention and adherence to treatment in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus after multidisciplinary group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the retention of information after participation in multidisciplinary group in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through a phone contact. METHOD: 122 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes were included. After diagnosis of gestational diabetes, the patients were referred to the multidisciplinary group where they received medical, nutrition and nursing guidelines related to the disease. After three days these patients received one telephone call from a nurse, who made the same questions regarding the information received. In the statistical analysis, results were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. RESULTS: Most patients 119/122 patients (97.5%) were managing to do self glucose monitoring. Twenty-one patients (17.2%) reported having difficulty performing the blood glucose, especially finger pricking. When questioning whether the woman was following the proposed diet, 24/122 (19.7%) patients said they did not; the meal frequency was not reached by 23/122 (18.9%) of the women, and forty-seven (38.5%) of the women reported having ingested sugar in the days following the guidance in multidisciplinary group. CONCLUSION: Regarding the proposed treatment, there was good adherence of patients, especially in relation to blood glucose monitoring. As for nutritional control, we observed greater difficulty in following the guidelines demonstrating the need for long-term monitoring, as well as further clarification to the patients about the importance of nutrition in diabetes management.

Evaluation of information retention and adherence to treatment in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus after multidisciplinary group / Avaliação da retenção de informações e da adesão ao tratamento em pacientes com diabetes mellitus gestacional após grupo multiprofissional

SUMMARY Objective: To evaluate the retention of information after participation in multidisciplinary group in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through a phone contact. Method: 122 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes were included. After diagnosis of gestational diabetes, the patients were referred to the multidisciplinary group where they received medical, nutrition and nursing guidelines related to the disease. After three days these patients received one telephone call from a nurse, who made the same questions regarding the information received. In the statistical analysis, results were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. Results: Most patients 119/122 patients (97.5%) were managing to do self glucose monitoring. Twenty-one patients (17.2%) reported having difficulty performing the blood glucose, especially finger pricking. When questioning whether the woman was following the proposed diet, 24/122 (19.7%) patients said they did not; the meal frequency was not reached by 23/122 (18.9%) of the women, and forty-seven (38.5%) of the women reported having ingested sugar in the days following the guidance in multidisciplinary group. Conclusion: Regarding the proposed treatment, there was good adherence of patients, especially in relation to blood glucose monitoring. As for nutritional control, we observed greater difficulty in following the guidelines demonstrating the need for long-term monitoring, as well as further clarification to the patients about the importance of nutrition in diabetes management.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a retenção de informações, após participação em grupo multiprofissional, em pacientes com diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG), por meio de contato telefônico. Método: foram incluídas 122 gestantes com diagnóstico de DMG. Após o diagnóstico, as pacientes eram encaminhadas ao grupo multiprofissional para receber orientações médicas, nutricionais e de enfermagem relacionadas à doença. Após três dias, as pacientes receberam um contato telefônico de um enfermeiro, que realizou perguntas relacionadas às informações recebidas. Na análise estatística, os resultados foram apresentados em frequências absolutas e relativas. Resultados: a maioria das pacientes, 119/122 (97,5%), estava conseguindo fazer a automonitorização glicêmica. Vinte e uma pacientes (17,2%) referiram ter dificuldades para realizar a glicemia capilar, sendo a principal relacionada às lancetas. Quanto à dieta proposta, 24/122 (19,7%) referiram que não estavam conseguindo cumprir; o fracionamento da dieta não foi alcançado por 23/122 (18,9%) das gestantes e 47 (38,5%) relataram ter ingerido açúcar nos dias seguintes à orientação do grupo multiprofissional. Conclusão: em relação ao tratamento proposto, houve boa adesão das pacientes, especialmente quanto à automonitorização glicêmica. Em relação aos controles nutricionais, observamos maior dificuldade no seguimento das orientações, mostrando haver necessidade de seguimento em longo prazo e de fornecer melhor esclarecimento às pacientes sobre a importância da nutrição no controle do diabetes.