The use of breastfeeding assesmant tools in early detection of babies under dehydration risk and estimating of breastfeeding duration

WHO and the AAP recommend that infants should be exclusively breastfed for approximately the first 6 months of life. However, due to various reasons are started early complementary foods. It is important to detect the reasons of early breastfeeding cessation and develop strategies to prevent them.This study?s aim was to perform with these objectives; to evaluate the value of the breastfeeding assessment tools (LATCH and IBFAT) in prediction early dehydration and breastfeeding duration; to detect the affect of the mother's self-confidence and depression status on breastfeeding duration; to detect the risk factors affecting breastfeeding.151 healthy full-term and singleton infants and their mothers were included in this study. LATCH, IBFAT scores for the babies and BSES-SF scores for the mothers were assessed by professional staff during in-hospital stay. The weight and feeding patterns of infants were followed up first 4 months post discharge. Edinburg depression scale was assessed on the 10th day and within 4-8 weeks. The groups were compared according to weight loss (weight loss ?10% and <10%) and feeding pattern (exclusively breastfeeding or not in the first 4 months). The breastfeeding initiation rate and breastfeeding rate at hospital discharge was 100%. Formula initiation rate in the first week was 20%.Limited experiences with breastfeeding, primiparity, low breastfeeding goal, formula initiation in the first week, the use of pumps, breast crack and nipple problems, delayed lactation were identified as risk factors for weight loss ? 10%. LATCH (all scores), IBFAT (12th, 24th, 48th hours) and BSES-SF (all scores) scores were higher in the group with weight loss <10% than the group with weight loss ?10%. Exclusively breastfeeding rates were 75,5% in the first month, 76,2% in the second month, 76,2 in the third month, 68,9% in the fourth month. Exclusively breastfeeding rate was 55,6% for four months. LATCH (all scores), IBFAT (12th, 24th hours) and BSES-SF (first, 24th) scores were higher significantly in the exclusively breastfeed infants. The sensitivity and specificities of the tests were low but NPVs of the tests were high to estimate excessive weight loss and exclusively breastfeeding duration.Breastfeeding assessment tools can be helpful for the professional staff to detect the infants and mothers who needs support.