The association between cesarean delivery and breast-feeding outcomes among Mexican women

Am J Public Health. 1996 Jun;86(6):832-6. doi: 10.2105/ajph.86.6.832.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the impact of cesarean section delivery on the initiation and duration of breast-feeding in the 1987 Mexican Demographic and Health Survey.

Methods: The subsample (n = 2517) was restricted to women whose delivery of their last-born children (aged 5 years and younger) was attended by a physician. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between cesarean section and likelihood of either not initiating breast-feeding or doing so for less than 1 month. Among women who breast-fed for 1 month or more, multivariate survival analysis was used to examine the relationship between cesarean section and breast-feeding duration.

Results: Cesarean section was a risk factor for not initiating breast-feeding (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50, 0.82) and for breast feeding for less than 1 month (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.91) but was unrelated to breast-feeding duration among women who breast-fed for 1 month or more (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.86, 1.11).

Conclusions: It is desirable to provide additional breast-feeding support during the early postpartum period to women who deliver via cesarean sections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Breast Feeding*
  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Parity
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors