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. 2021 Feb 1;11(2):110.
doi: 10.3390/life11020110.

Breastfeeding: Biological and Social Variables in Different Modes of Conception

Paola Pileri  1   2 , Ilenia di Bartolo  1   2 , Martina Ilaria Mazzocco  1   2 , Giovanni Casazza  2 , Sofia Giani  2   3 , Irene Cetin  1   2 , Valeria Maria Savasi  2   3
Affiliations

Breastfeeding: Biological and Social Variables in Different Modes of Conception

Paola Pileri et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding has effects on health throughout the lives of mothers and babies. In 2014 in Italy, 10,976 babies were born through ART (assisted reproductive technology), accounting for 2.2% of annual births. The study aims to assess how both social and biological variables and the mode of conception influence breastfeeding.

Methods: This observational study involves 161 pregnancies from three different modes of conception: homologous in vitro fertilization, ovum donation, and spontaneous pregnancies. Neonatal and maternal characteristics were collected from the hospital database, while breastfeeding outcomes were obtained through telephone interviews.

Results: The mode of conception did not influence any of the breastfeeding outcomes. Breastfeeding duration was negatively affected by smoking. Vaginal delivery, birth weight > 2500 g, delivery > 37 gestational weeks, breastfeeding intention, and rooming-in are positively associated with the initiation of breastfeeding, while skin-to-skin contact and receiving information concerning breastfeeding are the most significant variables associated with its exclusivity and duration.

Conclusions: The duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding are mainly related with information thereon, promotion, and breastfeeding support, but not with the mode of conception. It is essential to adequately support women from the outset in breastfeeding, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technology; breastfeeding; mode of conception; ovum donation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Questionnaire used to obtain information on breastfeeding outcomes by means of telephone interviews.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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