Infant pacifier sanitization and risk of challenge-proven food allergy: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Environmental microbial exposure plays a role in immune system development and susceptibility to food allergy. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether infant pacifier use during the first postnatal year, with further consideration of sanitization, alters the risk of food allergy by age 1 year. METHODS: The birth cohort recruited pregnant mothers at under 28 weeks' gestation in southeast Australia, with 894 families followed up when infants turned 1 year. Infants were excluded if born under 32 weeks, with a serious illness, major congenital malformation, or genetic disease. Questionnaire data, collected at recruitment and infant ages 1, 6, and 12 months, included pacifier use and pacifier sanitization (defined as the joint exposure of a pacifier and cleaning methods). Challenge-proven food allergy was assessed at 12 months. RESULTS: Any pacifier use at 6 months was associated with food allergy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.04-3.61), but not pacifier use at other ages. This overall association was driven by the joint exposure of pacifier-antiseptic use (adjusted odds ratio, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.10-21.18) compared with no pacifier use. Using pacifiers without antiseptic at 6 months was not associated with food allergy. Among pacifier users, antiseptic cleaning was still associated with food allergy (adjusted odds ratio, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.18-10.77) compared with no antiseptic use. Furthermore, persistent and repeated antiseptic use over the first 6 months was associated with higher food allergy risk (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a pacifier-antiseptic combination being associated with a higher risk of subsequent food allergy. Future work should investigate underlying biological pathways.

[Prevalence and determinants of breastfeeding: the Zorrotzaurre study]. / Prevalencia y determinantes de la lactancia materna: estudio Zorrotzaurre.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction and objectives: breastfeeding (BF) is a feeding method that provides multiple benefits for the health of infants and their mothers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BF during the first year of life of children of women who gave birth in a private clinic in Biscay, Basque Country, Spain, and to identify the facilitating determinants and reasons for abandonment. Method: an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study in a random sample of 453 newborns (NBs) recruited between 2016 and 2017. Results: in all, 366 women agreed to participate in all the study phases. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 51.7 % at baseline, 77.1 % at discharge, and 21.6 % after sixth months; and that of BF, 87.1 % at the beginning, 48.4 % at month six, and 20.6 % at one year. The facilitating factors of EBF were: at the beginning, not using a nest or breast pump; 15 days of satisfaction with LM and not using a pacifier or breast pump; 4 months of satisfaction with LM; 6 months attending Lactation Support Groups (GAL) and not introducing complementary feeding (CA); and those of LM at 1 year, attending GAL. The main reasons for abandonment were: own initiative, incorporation to work, and little weight gain by the NB. Conclusions: one in 5 newborns received EBF up to 6 months and BF up to one year. It would be necessary to promote strategies that favor breastfeeding, such as eliminating the nest, advising against breast pumps and pacifiers at the beginning, starting CA from the sixth month, and organizing GALs during the first year.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción y objetivos: la lactancia materna (LM) es un método de alimentación infantil que aporta múltiples beneficios para la salud de los lactantes y las madres. Este estudio pretende determinar la prevalencia de la LM durante el primer año de vida de los hijos/as de una serie de mujeres que dan a luz en una clínica privada de Bizkaia, e identificar los determinantes facilitadores y los motivos de abandono. Método: estudio observacional, descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo de una muestra aleatoria de 453 recién nacidos (RN), reclutada entre 2016 y 2017. Resultados: en total, 366 mujeres aceptaron participar en todas las fases de estudio. La prevalencia de la lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) fue del 51,7 % al inicio, del 77,1 % al alta y del 21,6 % al sexto mes; y la de la LM, del 87,1 % al inicio, del 48,4 % al sexto mes y del 20,6 % al año. Los factores facilitadores de la LME fueron: al inicio, no utilizar nido ni sacaleches; 15 días de satisfacción con la LM y no utilizar chupete ni sacaleches; 4 meses de satisfacción con la LM; 6 meses de acudir a Grupos de Apoyo a la Lactancia (GAL) y no introducir alimentación complementaria (AC); los de la LM al año, acudir a GAL. Los principales motivos de abandono fueron: la iniciativa propia, la incorporación al trabajo y la escasa ganancia de peso del RN. Conclusiones: uno de cada 5 RN recibieron LME hasta los 6 meses y LM hasta el año. Sería necesario promover estrategias que favorezcan el amamantamiento, como: suprimir el nido, desaconsejar el sacaleches y el chupete al inicio, iniciar la AC a partir del sexto mes y organizar GAL durante el primer año.

Influence of pacifier use on the association between duration of breastfeeding and anterior open bite in primary dentition.

BACKGROUND: The literature is controversial with regard to the association between longer breastfeeding duration and lower prevalence of anterior open bite. Pacifier use may be involved in this controversy. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess the influence of pacifier use and its duration on the association between longer breastfeeding duration and lower prevalence of anterior open bite in children with primary dentition. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort study involving 153 infants recruited at a maternity hospital in the municipality of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The study outcome (anterior open bite) was assessed when the children were between 3 and 5 years old. Data on breastfeeding and pacifier use were collected at 7, 30, 60, 120, and 180 days of life and on the date of the evaluation here described. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to analyze the association between the prevalence of anterior open bite and breastfeeding duration, expressed in months. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed a protective effect of breastfeeding against anterior open bite (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.95-0.98). This effect remained significant after adjustment for pacifier use at any time between birth and the date of dental assessment (PR0.98; 95%CI; 0.96-0.99), i.e., there was a reduction of 2% in the prevalence of anterior open bite for each month of breastfeeding. However, this effect lost significance when pacifier use duration was included in the multivariate analysis (PR1.00; 95%CI; 0.99-1.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pacifier use duration influences the association between longer breastfeeding duration and lower prevalence of anterior open bite. It is likely that prolonged pacifier use reduces the magnitude of this association.

Breastfeeding in the First Hours of Life Protects Against Pacifier Use: A Birth Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate risk factors for pacifier use in the first year of life. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with children enrolled at birth in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, whose mothers underwent prenatal care at primary care units. Soon after the birth of the children, data were collected on anthropometrics, type of childbirth, and time until breastfeeding on the first day of life. At 6 and 12 months of age, data were collected on breastfeeding practices and whether the child had used a pacifier in the previous 6 months. Statistical analysis involved the use of Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The incidence of pacifier use in the first year of life was 60% (317/532). The multivariable analysis showed that pacifier use in the first year of life was 33% higher when the mother was younger than 18 years of age (relative risk [RR] = 1.33; confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.01-1.76). Infants who breastfed in the first 30 minutes after birth had a 25% lower risk of pacifier use in the first year of life (RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60-0.94), and those who breastfed between 30 minutes and 6 hours after birth had an 18% lower risk (RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69-0.97) compared to those who took longer to begin breastfeeding or did not breastfeed. Conclusions for Practice: Breastfeeding soon after being born protected against pacifier use in the first year of life. This finding suggests pathways to improve child health, especially in the prenatal period and with an emphasis on pregnant adolescents.

The effects of early pacifier use on breastfeeding: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The majority of observational studies have found associations between pacifier use and shorter breastfeeding duration. Results from four randomised controlled trials did not reveal any difference in breastfeeding outcomes. The relationship between early pacifier use and breastfeeding outcomes remains unclear. AIM: To investigate whether a recommendation of early pacifier use affects the proportion of breastfeeding at six months compared to a recommendation to avoid pacifier use during the first two weeks. METHODS: An open, randomised controlled trial with parallel group design; 239 primiparous mothers and their term infants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The primary outcome was the proportion of breastfeeding at six months. Secondary outcomes were the proportions of breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems at two and four months. To investigate factors which may influence breastfeeding, a multivariate logistic regressions analysis was performed. FINDINGS: A total of 209 participants (87.5%) completed the study. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to breastfeeding at six months. No negative association for breastfeeding between early versus late introduction of pacifier was found. Factors significantly associated with cessation of breastfeeding at six months were: use of nipple shield, intention to breastfeed, severe breastfeeding problems at two weeks, pacifier use at two months and lower educational level. CONCLUSION: Early versus late recommendation of pacifier introduction did not affect the proportion of breastfeeding at six months. However, the compliance to the randomised group was insufficient. No negative association was found in the observational analysis.

Pain Management with ROP Position in Turkish Preterm Infants During Eye Examinations: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of infant positioning on pain, heart rate, oxygen saturation and crying time during examination. DESIGN & METHODS: The randomized controlled experimental study was carried out on 70 preterm infants. ROP position + pacifier was used in the experimental group (n = 35) while only the pacifier was used in the control group. Heart rates, oxygen saturation, crying duration and pain score (Premature Infant Pain Profile-PIPP) were evaluated before, during and after the screening. RESULTS: The preterm infants in the experimental group recorded lower pain scores at the beginning of the screening (p = 0.01), at the end of the screening (p = 0.01) and after screening (p = 0.01) than those in the control group. The heart rate was higher in the control group during screening (p = 0.010) and after screening (p = 0.008) than in the preterm infants in the experimental group. Oxygen saturation was not significantly different between the groups before, during or after screening. Crying duration was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Positioning of the infant to support behavioral organization was found to be effective in reducing pain and shortening crying time during eye examination, and had favorable effects on physiological variables with ROP position during eye examinations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: ROP position is a practical and effective non-pharmacological method during eye examinations by neonatal nurses.

Poor oral habits and malocclusions after usage of orthodontic pacifiers: an observational study on 3-5 years old children.

BACKGROUND: Pacifier sucking habit has been associated in the literature with alterations of dental occlusion, and it could be a predisposing factor for other poor oral habits among children. Orthodontic pacifiers have been introduced in the market aiming to reduce these disadvantages caused by the conventional type of pacifiers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of poor oral habits and malocclusions, after usage of orthodontic pacifiers in children with primary dentition. METHODS: A sample of 198 pre-school children, aged 3-5 years, (96 males and 102 females) who had exclusively used an orthodontic pacifier were included in order to assess the level of poor oral habits and the absence/presence of dental malocclusion. Firstly, children's parents/legal guardians were given a validated questionnaire, then the children were clinically examined at a dental clinic. RESULTS: Most of the children (79.79%) had started using the orthodontic pacifier within the first 3 months of life, and the 43.49% of them continued using it over a period of 2 years. The recorded percentage for those who had used it throughout sleep was 89.39%. Mouth breathing during the night was reported for 36.04% of the children. Tongue thrust swallow affected 16.16% of the sample. The 5.56% of the data indicated the presence of fingersucking/thumbsucking habit. The noted percentages for children with lip biting, lingual interposition between teeth at rest and those with nail biting, were 5.56, 12.63 and 15.15%, respectively. The regression revealed a significant contribution between early start of using an orthodontic pacifier with the prevalence of fingersucking/thumbsucking (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.47, p = 0.0004). This also reported a noticeable increase of the malocclusion prevalence among the female gender (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.42-5.31), as well as those who were not exclusively breastfed (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.17-4.37). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic pacifiers does not favor the development of poor oral habits, even if it has been used for a period of 2 years in children with primary dentition. Children who begin to use orthodontic pacifier between 0 and 3 months, are less likely to acquire fingersucking/thumbsucking habit. The use of an orthodontic pacifier appears not to be correlated with the prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition, differently from what stated in literature about the conventional type of pacifier.

Prevalence and determinants of the use of pacifiers and feedingbottle: a study in Southwest Bahia / Prevalência e fatores determinantes do uso de chupetas e mamadeiras: um estudo no sudoeste baiano

Abstract Objectives: to assess the use of pacifier and feedingbottle and their determinants in children from a municipality of Southwest Bahia. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed with 354 children younger than 12 months old. The event was categorized in: exclusive use of pacifier, exclusive use of feeding bottle,use of pacifier and feeding bottle, and not use any of them. Multinomial analysis with logistic regression was applied, and those who did not use any artificial nipples were thereference variable. Results: it was observed that 11.9% of the children exclusively used pacifiers, 21.2% only use bottles and 32.8% used both of them. The following factors were associated with the exclusive use of pacifiers: low maternal schooling level (eight or less years of education), lack of previous experience with breastfeeding, difficulty in postpartum breastfeeding, and lack of incentive to breastfeeding in puericulture. The exclusive use of feeding bottle was associated with unmarried mothers, aged 35 years old or older, and with less years of education (eight or less years). Women who worked outside home and had difficulty in breastfeeding had greater chance of giving both artificial nipples to the children. Conclusions: the findingspresent different featuresrelated to the exclusive or combined use of pacifiers and feeding bottles, being important to direct health professionals conducts towards mothers' orientation.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar o uso de chupeta e mamadeira e seus determinantes em crianças de um município da região Sudoeste da Bahia. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado com 354 crianças menores de 12 meses. O evento foi categorizado em uso de chupeta exclusivo, uso de mamadeira exclusiva, uso de chupeta e mamadeira e não faz uso de ambas. Empregou-se análise multinomial com regressão logística tendo os que não usavam bicos artificiais como variável de referência. Resultados: observou-se que 11,9% das crianças faziam uso exclusivo de chupeta, 21,2% de mamadeira, 32,8% de ambos. Estiveram associadas ao uso exclusivo de chupeta: uma menor escolaridade materna (oito ou menos anos de estudo), ausência de experiência anterior com amamentação, dificuldade de amamentar no pós-parto e falta de incentivo à amamentação na puericultura. O uso exclusivo de mamadeira foi associado a mães sem companheiro, com idade de 35 anos ou mais e com menor escolaridade (oito ou menos anos de estudo). Mulheres que trabalhavam fora do lar e que tiveram dificuldade de amamentar apresentaram maior chance de fazerem uso de ambos os bicos artificiais. Conclusões: os resultados mostram características diferentes em relação ao uso exclusivo ou conjunto de bicos e mamadeiras, sendo importantes para direcionar as condutas dos profissionais de saúde para as orientações as mães.

Nutritive and non-nutritive sucking patterns associated with pacifier use and bottle-feeding in full-term infants.

BACKGROUND: The current literature does not provide accurate information about the association between use of artificial nipples and sucking patterns in infants. AIMS: We aimed to investigate whether pacifier use and/or bottle-feeding were associated with nutritive sucking (NS) and non-nutritive sucking (NNS) patterns. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: 429 full-term infants/mothers. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected through a questionnaire and observations of NS during breastfeeding and NNS (finger sucking). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the adjusted associations between artificial nipple use and between NS and NNS changes. RESULTS: There were higher frequencies of changes in the NNS and NS patterns in the group that used artificial nipples. Regarding the type of artificial nipple, pacifier use had a greater influence on changes in the NNS pattern whereas the use of a baby bottle presented a greater number of associations with changes in the NS pattern. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the use of artificial nipples may be associated with changes in the sucking patterns of infants, demonstrating the possible existence of nipple confusion and its effect on breastfeeding.

Involvement of maternal grandmother and teenage mother in intervention to reduce pacifier use: a randomized clinical trial / Participação da avó materna e mãe adolescente na intervenção para redução do uso de chupeta: um ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of an intervention for teenage mothers with the involvement of maternal grandmothers on the prevalence of pacifier use in the first six months of life. Methods: This randomized clinical trial involved 323 teenage mothers, allocated to four groups: intervention with teenagers only, intervention with teenagers and their mothers, and respective controls. Six breastfeeding counseling sessions, including the recommendation to avoid the use of a pacifier, were delivered at the maternity ward and subsequently at the teenagers' homes, at seven, 15, 30, 60, and 120 days postpartum. Data on infant feeding and pacifier use were collected monthly by interviewers blinded to group allocation. The impact of the intervention was measured by comparing survival curves for pacifier use in the first six months of life and mean time to pacifier introduction. Results: The intervention had a significant impact on reducing pacifier use only in the group in which grandmothers were involved. In this group, the intervention delayed by 64 days the introduction of a pacifier (21-85 days), compared to 25 days in the group without the participation of grandmothers (65-90 days). Conclusions: The intervention reduced pacifier use in the first six months of life and delayed its introduction until beyond the first month when grandmothers were involved. The intervention did not have a significant impact when only teenage mothers were involved.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção para mães adolescentes com a participação de avós maternas na prevalência de uso de chupeta nos primeiros seis meses de vida. Métodos: Este ensaio clínico randomizado envolveu 323 mães adolescentes, alocadas para quatro grupos: intervenção com somente adolescentes, intervenção com adolescentes e suas mães e respectivos controles. Seis sessões de aconselhamento para amamentação, incluindo a recomendação de evitar o uso de chupeta, foram realizadas na maternidade e posteriormente nas casas das adolescentes ao 7°, 15°, 30°, 60° e 120° dias. Os dados sobre alimentação infantil e uso de chupeta foram coletados mensalmente por entrevistadores cegos a respeito da alocação dos grupos. O impacto da intervenção foi medido comparando as curvas de sobrevida para uso de chupeta nos primeiros 6 meses de vida e o tempo médio de introdução de chupetas. Resultados: A intervenção apresentou um impacto significativo sobre a redução do uso de chupeta somente no grupo em que as mães estiveram envolvidas. Nesse grupo, a intervenção mostrou atraso de 64 dias na introdução de chupeta (21 a 85 dias), em comparação a 25 dias no grupo sem a participação das avós (65 a 90 dias). Conclusões: A intervenção reduziu o uso de chupeta nos primeiros 6 meses de vida e atrasou sua introdução além do primeiro mês com a participação das avós. A intervenção não teve impacto significativo somente com o envolvimento das mães adolescentes.

[Breastfeeding assessment in children up to 2 years of age assisted in primary health care of Recife in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil]. / Avaliação do aleitamento materno em crianças até dois anos assistidas na atenção básica do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

The scope of this study was to evaluate exclusive and total breastfeeding in children up to 2 years of age treated in Basic Health Units (BHU) of Recife in the state of Pernambuco. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Basic Health Units of Mustardinha, Jardim Uchôa, Fernandes Figueira and Upinha Novo Prado. The study population consisted of children of 0 to 24 months of age. One hundred and forty-one children from 0 to 24 months of age were evaluated, of which 56.4% were female, 22% were ≤ 6 months old, 21.3% were between 7 and 12 months of age and 56.7% were between 13 and 24 months of age. Analysis of the prevalence of exclusive and total breastfeeding revealed an average of 60.84 and 182.52 days, respectively. Male children, the use of pacifiers and bottle-feeding was associated with shorter exclusive breastfeeding duration.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) e total em crianças até 2 anos de idade atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do Recife-PE. Estudo descritivo transversal, realizado nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde da Mustardinha, Jardim Uchôa, Fernandes Figueira e Upinha Novo Prado. A população foi composta por crianças de 0 a 24 meses de idade. Foram avaliadas 141 crianças, das quais 54,6% eram do sexo feminino, 22% tinham idade ≤ 6 meses, 21,3% entre 7 a 12 meses e 56,7% entre 13 e 24 meses. Ao analisar a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo e total, verificou-se a mediana de 60,84 e 182,52 dias, respectivamente. Crianças do sexo masculino, uso de chupeta e mamadeira foram associados ao menor tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo.

Avaliação do aleitamento materno em crianças até dois anos assistidas na atenção básica do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil / Breastfeeding assessment in children up to 2 years of age assisted in primary health care of Recife in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

Resumo O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) e total em crianças até 2 anos de idade atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do Recife-PE. Estudo descritivo transversal, realizado nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde da Mustardinha, Jardim Uchôa, Fernandes Figueira e Upinha Novo Prado. A população foi composta por crianças de 0 a 24 meses de idade. Foram avaliadas 141 crianças, das quais 54,6% eram do sexo feminino, 22% tinham idade ≤ 6 meses, 21,3% entre 7 a 12 meses e 56,7% entre 13 e 24 meses. Ao analisar a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo e total, verificou-se a mediana de 60,84 e 182,52 dias, respectivamente. Crianças do sexo masculino, uso de chupeta e mamadeira foram associados ao menor tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo.

Abstract The scope of this study was to evaluate exclusive and total breastfeeding in children up to 2 years of age treated in Basic Health Units (BHU) of Recife in the state of Pernambuco. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Basic Health Units of Mustardinha, Jardim Uchôa, Fernandes Figueira and Upinha Novo Prado. The study population consisted of children of 0 to 24 months of age. One hundred and forty-one children from 0 to 24 months of age were evaluated, of which 56.4% were female, 22% were ≤ 6 months old, 21.3% were between 7 and 12 months of age and 56.7% were between 13 and 24 months of age. Analysis of the prevalence of exclusive and total breastfeeding revealed an average of 60.84 and 182.52 days, respectively. Male children, the use of pacifiers and bottle-feeding was associated with shorter exclusive breastfeeding duration.

Prevalence of pacifier use and the impact of maternal education and regularity of dental visits on the age of pacifier withdrawal.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pacifier use among Saudi children and analyze the effects of maternal education and dental visits on the age of pacifier withdrawal. METHODS: The dental histories of mothers of 300 children with age group of 2-7 years were obtained along with their educational level, frequency of dental checkups, and age of pacifier withdrawal. Data were analyzed using the cross-tabulation and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Forty percent (n = 133) of the children used pacifier. There was an effect of maternal education on the age of pacifier withdrawal: higher the maternal education, younger the age of pacifier withdrawal. The frequency of dental visits influenced the relationship between maternal education and age of pacifier withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy oral habits such as prolonged pacifier use can be reduced with regular dental checkups and higher levels of mother education. Hence, we recommend that children should start dental visits at an early age and maintain visits at regular intervals.

Pairs seen by lactation consultants and cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the survival of exclusive breastfeeding and the factors associated with its cessation in the first month among pairs seen by a lactation consulting team. METHOD: This is a prospective cohort conducted with mother-infant pairs treated at the Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 150 pairs. The survival curve indicates that 52.9% of the children remained on exclusive breastfeeding. The hierarchical model was constructed in four levels, and the factors associated with the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding were the milk supplementation during hospitalization, breast problems after hospital discharge and use of pacifiers. CONCLUSION: Awareness of these factors favors the early detection of pairs that may be predisposed to cessation of exclusive breastfeeding, who require greater support, dedication and care.

Involvement of maternal grandmother and teenage mother in intervention to reduce pacifier use: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of an intervention for teenage mothers with the involvement of maternal grandmothers on the prevalence of pacifier use in the first six months of life. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial involved 323 teenage mothers, allocated to four groups: intervention with teenagers only, intervention with teenagers and their mothers, and respective controls. Six breastfeeding counseling sessions, including the recommendation to avoid the use of a pacifier, were delivered at the maternity ward and subsequently at the teenagers' homes, at seven, 15, 30, 60, and 120 days postpartum. Data on infant feeding and pacifier use were collected monthly by interviewers blinded to group allocation. The impact of the intervention was measured by comparing survival curves for pacifier use in the first six months of life and mean time to pacifier introduction. RESULTS: The intervention had a significant impact on reducing pacifier use only in the group in which grandmothers were involved. In this group, the intervention delayed by 64 days the introduction of a pacifier (21-85 days), compared to 25 days in the group without the participation of grandmothers (65-90 days). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention reduced pacifier use in the first six months of life and delayed its introduction until beyond the first month when grandmothers were involved. The intervention did not have a significant impact when only teenage mothers were involved.

Exclusive breastfeeding changes in Brazil attributable to pacifier use.

BACKGROUND: Identifying key interventions to increase exclusive breastfeeding duration has been a challenge. Pacifier use has been associated with exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation in Brazil. However, the proportion of the improvement in exclusive breastfeeding duration attributable to pacifier use remains unknown. RESEARCH AIM: Quantify the proportion of increases in exclusive breastfeeding prevalence that can be attributed to reduced pacifier use over time. METHODS: Secondary data analyses of two nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted in States' capitals in 1999 and in 2008 (N = 42,395 Brazilian infants under 6 months of age). We estimated the fraction of exclusive breastfeeding prevalence improvements that could be attributed to pacifier use based on multilevel regression analysis. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2008, there was an increase of 15.2 percentage points in exclusive breastfeeding prevalence and a decrease of approximately 17 percentage points in the prevalence of pacifier use among infants under 6 months. Reduction in pacifier use explained an increase in 5.5 percentage points' exclusive breastfeeding rates. If pacifier use were to decrease from 41.6% (prevalence in 2008) to 14% (as found in New Zealand), there would be an expected additional increase in exclusive breastfeeding of approximately 12 percentage points. CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of the improvements in EBF prevalence observed in Brazil over a decade can be attributed to the corresponding decline in pacifier use.

Association between pacifier use and bottle-feeding and unfavorable behaviors during breastfeeding / Associação entre uso de chupeta e mamadeira e comportamentos desfavoráveis à amamentação durante as mamadas

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between pacifier use and bottle-feeding and unfavorable behaviors during breastfeeding. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 427 babies/mothers. Socio-demographic, perinatal data, and information about the use of artificial nipples (pacifier and/or bottle) were collected through a questionnaire. The breastfeeding aspects regarding position, affectivity, sucking behavior, baby responses, and breast anatomy were evaluated through observation during breastfeeding. The chi-squared test and the multiple linear regression analysis were used to investigate the association between the variables. Results: The aspects of breastfeeding that showed higher percentages of the category "poor" were sucking behavior (22.5%) and position (22.2%). The group of infants who used pacifiers and/or bottle showed higher percentages in the poor and fair categories when compared with the good category for all five breastfeeding aspects evaluated (p < 0.001). The linear regression analysis revealed that the increase in the number of unfavorable behaviors regarding position, affectivity, sucking behavior, and baby responses were independently associated with both pacifier and bottle use (β positive, p < 0.05), while breast anatomy was independently associated only with bottle use. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the use of pacifiers and/or bottle-feeding may be associated with unfavorable behaviors during breastfeeding, especially the use of bottle-feeding.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre uso de chupeta e mamadeira e comportamentos desfavoráveis à amamentação durante as mamadas. Métodos: Um estudo transversal foi conduzido com 427 bebês/mães. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, perinatais e sobre o uso de bicos artificiais (chupeta e/ou mamadeira) através de questionário. Os aspectos de amamentação referentes à posição, afetividade, adequação da sucção, respostas do bebê e anatomia das mamas foram avaliados através da observação durante a mamada. O teste qui-quadrado e a análise de regressão linear múltipla foram usados para investigar associação entre as variáveis. Resultados: Os aspectos de amamentação que apresentaram percentuais mais elevados da categoria ruim foram a adequação da sucção (22,5%) e posição (22,2%). O grupo de bebês que usavam chupeta e/ou mamadeira apresentou percentuais mais elevados nas categorias ruim e regular quando comparados com a categoria bom para todos os cinco aspectos da amamentação avaliados (p < 0,001). A análise de regressão linear revelou que o incremento do número de comportamentos desfavoráveis referentes à posição, afetividade, adequação da sucção e respostas do bebê estavam associados de forma independente tanto ao uso de chupeta quanto ao uso de mamadeira (β positivo, p < 0,05), enquanto que anatomia das mamas estava associado de forma independente apenas com o uso de mamadeira. Conclusão: Os achados sugerem que o uso de chupeta e/ou mamadeira pode estar associado a comportamentos desfavoráveis durante amamentação, em especial o uso de mamadeira.

Uso de chupeta em pré-escolares do sul do Brasil: prevalência e fatores associados / Pacifier use in preschoolers from southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors

Objetivo: investigar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de chupeta em pré-escolares. Sujeitos e método: estudo transversal foi realizado com 1.316 crianças de 0 até 5 anos de idade no município de Canoas, no Rio Grande do Sul. O instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionário semiestruturado respondido pelos responsáveis sobre características sociodemográficas (sexo, cor da pele, idade da criança e materna, escolaridade materna, estrutura e renda familiar) e comportamentais (uso da mamadeira e aleitamento materno). O desfecho foi presença/ausência de uso de chupeta. A análise estatística compreendeu regressão de Poisson com variância robusta bruta e ajustada. Resultados: a prevalência de uso de chupeta em algum momento da vida foi de 68,1%. A análise multivariável ajustada mostrou que crianças que usaram mamadeira tiveram três vezes maior prevalência do desfecho (RP: 3,21; IC95% 2,25-4,59; p<0,001) se comparadas àquelas que nunca usaram mamadeira. Além disso, a análise adicional encontrou que crianças mais novas ainda usam a chupeta quando comparadas às mais velhas. Conclusão: conclui-se que a prevalência do uso de chupeta é alta e está associada com hábitos de nutrição. Assim, entender a associação de aspectos biopsicossociais e sua rede de causalidade torna-se essencial para o estabelecimento de estratégias de promoção de saúde na primeira infância. (AU)

Objective: to investigate the prevalence and the factors associated with pacifier use by preschoolers. Subjects and method: cross-sectional study performed with 1316 children from zero to five years of age, in the city of Canoas, RS, Brazil. The research instrument was a semi- -structured questionnaire answered by the responsible persons on sociodemographic (sex, skin color, child and maternal age, maternal level of education, and family structure and income) and behavioral (bottle-feeding and breastfeeding) characteristics. The outcome was the presence/absence of pacifier use. The statistical analysis included Poisson regression with crude and adjusted robust variance. Results: the prevalence of pacifier use at some point in life was 68.1%. The adjusted multivariate analysis showed that bottle-fed children presented a threefold higher prevalence of the outcome (PR: 3.21, 95%CI 2.25-4.59, p<0.001) compared to those who had never used the bottle. Moreover, an additional analysis found that younger children still use the pacifier compared to older ones. Conclusion: it is concluded that the prevalence of pacifier use is high and it is associated with nutrition habits. Thus, understanding the association of biopsychosocial aspects and their causality network becomes essential for establishing health promotion strategies in early childhood. (AU)

Pacifiers, Thumb Sucking, Breastfeeding, and Bottle Use: Oral Sucking Habits of Children with and without Phonological Impairment.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the nutritive and non-nutritive oral sucking habits (breastfeeding, bottle use, pacifier/dummy/soother use, thumb/finger sucking) of preschoolers with and without phonological impairment, and to determine whether oral sucking habits are associated with the presence and severity of phonological impairment. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 199 Australian English-speaking preschoolers with and without phonological impairment. Preschoolers' speech was directly assessed, and parents/caregivers completed a questionnaire. Chi-square (χ2) tests were used to examine relationships between oral sucking habits and the presence and severity of phonological impairment. RESULTS: Based on caregiver reports, 79.9% of participants had been breastfed (33.3% for >12 months), 58.3% had used a pacifier (74.2% for ≥12 months), 83.9% had used a bottle (73.4% for > 12 months), and 15.1% sucked their thumb/fingers. There was no association between a history of oral sucking and the presence and severity of phonological impairment. CONCLUSION: The majority of preschoolers had been breastfed and bottle-fed, and more than half had used a pacifier. The findings support an understanding that phonological impairment is not associated with a history of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits. Research is needed to examine the association between oral sucking habits and other types of speech sound disorders.

Predictors of breastfeeding duration in a predominantly Maori population in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Although breastfeeding duration in New Zealand's indigenous Maori is shorter than in non-Maori, we know little about barriers or motivators of breastfeeding in this community. The aim of this analysis was to identify predictors for extended duration of breastfeeding amongst participants drawn from predominantly Maori communities in regional Hawke's Bay. METHODS: Mother/baby dyads were recruited from two midwifery practices serving predominantly Maori women in mostly deprived areas, for a randomised controlled trial comparing the risks and benefits of an indigenous sleeping device (wahakura) and a bassinet. Questionnaires were administered at baseline (pregnancy) and at one, three and six months postnatal. Several questions relating to breastfeeding and factors associated with breastfeeding were included. The data from both groups were pooled to examine predictors of breastfeeding duration. RESULTS: Maori comprised 70.5% of the 197 participants recruited. The median time infants were fully breastfed was eight weeks and Maori women were more likely to breastfeed for a shorter duration than New Zealand European women with an odds-ratio (OR) of 0.45 (95% CI 0.24, 0.85). The key predictors for extended duration of breastfeeding were the strong support of the mother's partner (OR = 3.64, 95% CI 1.76, 7.55) or her mother for breastfeeding (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.27, 4.82), longer intended duration of maternal breastfeeding (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.03) and being an older mother (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.02, 1.12). The key predictors for shorter duration of breastfeeding were pacifier use (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.17, 0.46), daily cigarette smoking (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.37, 0.69), alcohol use (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.31, 0.93) and living in a more deprived area (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.22, 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding duration in this group of mainly Maori women was shorter than the national average. Increasing the duration of breastfeeding by these mothers could be further facilitated by ante and postnatal education involving their own mothers and their partners in the support of breastfeeding and by addressing pacifier use, smoking and alcohol use.