Intake of water, herbal teas and non-breast milks during the first month of life: Associated factors and impact on breastfeeding duration

Background:The use of non-breast milks seems to cause more harm to the child's health than the isolated introduction of water/herbal teas.Aims:Study the factors associated with introduction of water/herbal teas or non-breast milks during the first month of life and determine the impact of this supplementation on breastfeeding duration.Study design:Nested cross-sectional study.Subjects:220 mother–infant pairs contacted in the maternity ward, at 7 days and at the end of 1, 2, 4, and 6 months.Outcome measures:Introduction of water/herbal teas or non-breast milks in the first month of life based on data collected during a home visit 30 days after delivery.Results:Introduction of water/herbal teas was associated with maternal age < 20 years (prevalence ratio = 1.55; 95%CI 1.14–2.09), < 6 prenatal consultations (1.48; 1.09–2.01), cohabitation with maternal grandmother (1.51; 1.10–2.10), and poor latch-on at 30 days (1.87; 1.35–2.58). Introduction of non-breast milks was associated with breastfeeding of previous children for < 6 months (3.18; 1.18–8.58), cesarean (1.92; 1.07–3.44), poor latch-on at 30 days (2.82; 1.55–5.11), use of pacifier at 7 days (2.75; 1.38–5.48), introduction of herbal teas in the first 7 days (2.75; 1.15–4.15) and breast engorgement at 7 days (2.19; 1.01–3.16). Introduction of non-breast milks negatively influenced breastfeeding duration (p < 0.001); this was not observed with water/herbal teas (p = 0.277).Conclusion:Priority should be given to preventing the early introduction on non-breast milks, especially in mother–infant pairs with associated risk factors.