Comparison of Breastfeeding Practices between Primigravida and Multigravida

Objective: Breastfeeding experiences differ between those who have previously nursed an infant and those who are primiparous. This analysis contrasted breastfeeding outcomes between primiparous women and those with previous experience from maternity stay through 6 months postpartum. Methodology and Materials: A comparative study with mothers and newborns≥34 weeks of gestation comparing two post–hospital discharge care models. Mothers completed in- person interview during the postpartum stay and surveys at 6, 10, 14 weeks and 6months (during the course of vaccination) in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai where questionnaires related to breastfeeding were completed. All participants intended to breastfeed. Results: Among 200 mothers available for analysis, 98 (49 %) were primiparous and 102 (52 %) were Multiparous. Longer intended breasfeeding duration was observed in multiparous. Following delivery, primiparous mothers had a longer time to first breasfeeding attempt and were more likely to have fewer feeding attempts in the first 24 hours. Primiparous women reported more early breasfeeding problems during hospital discharge. Multiparous women were more likely to breasfeed through 6 months and had a significantly lower hazard of stopping breasfeeding than primiparous mothers.