ABSTRACT
Breastfeeding is the primal form of feeding new-borns and has multiple benefits to mothers and children. However, often introduction of infant formula is necessary due to breastfeeding cessation or infant's inability to thrive on human milk. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyse elementary lactation problems in the first days postpartum leading up to feeding new-borns with infant formula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diagnostic survey that consisted of 28 questions was performed on a group of 194 patients staying at the Obstetrics and New-borns Department of the Duchess Anna Mazowiecka Clinical Hospital in Warsaw from September until December 2018. RESULTS: Most of respondents that gave birth naturally didn't give the infant formula after birth (62.4%, n=58/93), whereas patients giving birth by caesarean section 69.0% (n=69/100) fed infant formula to new-borns after birth. The administration of infant formula significantly depended on the mode of delivery (p<0.01) and on whether the baby had suckled on the first contact (p<0.01). Moreover, patients with prepregnancy diabetes (81.8%, n=9/11, p<0.05) and obesity (76.2%, n=16/21, p<0.05) were more likely to give children infant formula. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding with infant formula is more frequent after caesarean section and when there is coexistence of diseases with pregnancy. Suckling the breast during the first skin-to-skin contact has a positive effect on the duration of lactation.
