Analysis of Maternal Characteristics during Breastfeeding in Early Infancy Associated with Prolactin Levels and Breastfeeding LATCH Scores (original) (raw)

Objective: This study was carried out in order to analyze mate rn l characteristics during the breastfeeding in early infancy by use of prolactin comparison and LA TCH charting system. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 63 mother s and their healthy full-term newborns, carried out during 01.04.2010 and 01.05.2010 at the clinic of o bstetrics and gynecology in Balcali Medical Faculty Hospital in Adana, Turkey. The study data were gathered by using questionnaire forms handed out at interviews, and by careful obs ervation throughout the study, which consisted of the pregna ncy history of mothers, their knowledge and experie nces regarding breast milk, the breastfeeding LATCH scor e, the prolactin levels in the serums, starting tim e of breastfeeding, and the Apgar score of newborns for thei health assessment. The weight and height of m others were measured for determining their body-mass index (BMI). Results: Mothers who started breastfeeding within the first 'thirt...