Latch score and exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months postpartum

Abstract

The aim of this study was to effect of latch score on exclusive breastfeeding during first six months. The subjects were 3,065 uncomplicated postpartum women who delivered at HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sririndhorn medical center in Nakhon Nayok province since 2010 to 2012. At first day of postpartum, latch score was assessed by standardized trained nurses. Exclusive breastfeeding data was collected at the second day postpartum before maternal discharge. After maternal discharge, telephone follow-up on the postpartum day 7th, 14th, 45th and at the second, fourth and sixth month were used for exclusive breastfeeding data collection. It was found that on postpartum day 2nd, 7th, 14th, 45th andat the second, fourth and sixth month, the exclusive breastfeeding rates were 81.4, 79.8, 73.3, 56.8, 53.3, 36.7 and 31.3%, respectively. The latch score affected on exclusive breastfeeding at the second postpartum day. The latch score more than 8 was used to test exclusive breastfeeding at the secondday postpartum. The positive predictive value was 98.5% (area under the curve = 0.72). The relative risk at this latch score was 22 (95% confidence interval between 10.9 and 44.4). The mean of latch score in exclusive breastfeeding group was significantly more than non-exclusive breastfeeding group at secondand seventh postpartum day. So the latch score could be used to predict exclusive breastfeeding in early postpartum period.