Cesarean section and breastfeeding outcomes in an Indigenous Qom community with high breastfeeding support

• Autores: Martin, Melanie; Keith, Monica; Olmedo, Sofia Irene; Edwards, Deja; Barrientes, Alicia; Pan, Anwesha; Valeggia, Claudia
• Año de publicación: 2022
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: BIRTH MODE; BREASTFEEDING DURATION; CESAREAN SECTION; KIN SUPPORT; POSTPARTUM PERIOD
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Background and objectives: Cesarean section may lead to suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes, though evidence has been mixed. Factors, such as premature birth, birth weight and maternal age may independently increase risk of cesarean and hinder breastfeeding initiation, while maternal preferences, support and sociostructural barriers may influence breastfeeding practices beyond the immediate postpartum period. Methodology: We assessed impacts of cesarean section and gestational factors on breastfeeding duration among Indigenous Qom mothers in Argentina who have strong traditional breastfeeding support. We modeled transitions from exclusive breastfeeding to complementary feeding and from complementary feeding to full weaning in a Bayesian time-to-event framework with birth mode and gestational covariates (n = 89 infants). Results: Estimated median time to full weaning was 30 months. Cesarean-delivered babies were weaned an average of 5 months later adjusting for gestational age, maternal parity and infant sex. No factors were associated with time-to-complementary feeding, and time-to-complementary feeding was not associated with time-to-full weaning. Conclusions and implications: Among Indigenous Qom mothers in Argentina, cesarean section was not associated with suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. Although some Qom mothers do experience early breastfeeding problems, particularly following first birth, problems are not more frequent following cesarean delivery. Traditional postpartum kin and community support during prolonged postpartum periods may be instrumental in helping mothers to overcome early breastfeeding problems due to cesarean or other risk factors. Lay Summary: We examined associations between cesarean section and breastfeeding transitions among Indigenous mothers in Argentina. Mothers delivering via cesarean section did not introduce complementary foods earlier, and conversely weaned later than mothers who delivered vaginally. Postpartum kin support typical of traditional birthing practices may help mothers overcome early breastfeeding problems.
Fil: Martin, Melanie. University of Washington; Estados Unidos
Fil: Keith, Monica. University of Washington; Estados Unidos
Fil: Olmedo, Sofia Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentina
Fil: Edwards, Deja. University of Washington; Estados Unidos
Fil: Barrientes, Alicia. University of Washington; Estados Unidos
Fil: Pan, Anwesha. University of Washington; Estados Unidos
Fil: Valeggia, Claudia. University of Yale; Estados Unidos