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- Agrasada, Grace V., et al.
(author)
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Exclusive breastfeeding of low birth weight infants for the first six months : infant morbidity and maternal and infant anthropometry
- 2011
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In: Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : H E C Press. - 0964-7058 .- 1440-6047. ; 20:1, s. 62-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: to report anthropometry and morbidity among term low birth weight infants and anthropometry of their first time mothers during the first six months in relation to breastfeeding practice. Methods: we examined data from a randomized controlled trial in Manila, the Philippines. Of the 204 mothers randomized, 68 mothers received eight postpartum breastfeeding counseling sessions, the rest did not. Maternal and infant anthropometric data at birth, 2, 4 and 6 months were taken. During seven follow-up hospital visits, an independent interviewer recorded feeding data. Results: the 24 infants exclusively breastfed from birth to six months did not have diarrhea compared to 134 partially breastfed (mean 2.3 days) and 21 non-breastfed infants (mean 2.5 days). Partially breastfed and non-breastfed infants compared to exclusively breastfed infants had more frequent, as well as more severe episodes of respiratory infections. At six months, neither overall gain in infant weight, length and head circumferences nor mean maternal weight and body mass index differed significantly between the feeding groups. Conclusions: exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months can be recommended in term low birth weight infants, who were protected from diarrhea, had fewer respiratory infections, required no hospitalization and had catch up growth. Exclusively breastfeeding mothers did not differ from mothers who breastfed partially or those who did not breastfeed with regard to weight changes at six months.
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| 2. |
- Agrasada, Grace V., 1956-
(author)
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Postnatal Peer Counseling on Exclusive Breastfeeding of Low-birthweight Filipino Infants : Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2005
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In a Manila hospital, 204 mothers were randomized into three groups: two intervention groups receiving home-based counseling visits, one of them (n=68) by counselors trained to use a locally developed, two-tiered program of breastfeeding counseling, and the other by counselors trained in general childcare (n=67), were compared with a control group of mothers (n=69) who did not receive any counseling. All infants were scheduled for seven visits to the hospital for follow-up. During hospital visits, maternal and infant body measurements were made and an independent interviewer asked the mothers individually to recall how the infant had been fed. One study physician, blind to participant groups, was consulted at all scheduled and unscheduled infant visits.At six months, 44% of the breastfeeding-counseled mothers, 7% of the childcare-counseled mothers and none of the mothers in the control group were exclusively breastfeeding. Twenty- four mothers breastfed exclusively during the first six months, of whom 22 received breastfeeding counseling and 2 had no breastfeeding counseling. Among 24 infants who were exclusively breastfed from birth to six months there were no episodes of diarrhea. All infants had gained in weight, length and head circumference. Mean maternal weight loss at six months was similar whether her breastfeeding was exclusive or partial.The reasons why mothers without breastfeeding counseling introduced non-breast milk feeding before six months reflected lack of knowledge and support. Breastfeeding support during the first six months focusing on how to prevent and solve breastfeeding problems, particularly during the first two weeks, will enable mothers to choose to breastfeed exclusively up to six months. This study has provided fundamental evidence of successful intervention by breastfeeding counseling to achieve six months of exclusive breastfeeding among term, low-birthweight infants. The locally developed training program in breastfeeding counseling, which successfully prepared volunteers to counsel mothers at home, could be incorporated into primary health care in the Philippines. Mothers who received breastfeeding counseling appreciated how this helped them to achieve their breastfeeding goals for the first six months. Improved breastfeeding practices as a result of breastfeeding counseling provided infants with protection from diarrhea and respiratory infections, contributing to their health and development.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Agrasada, Grace V, et al.
(author)
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Training peer counselors in supporting mothers of term, low birth weight infants to exclusively breastfeed
- 2005
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In: Asia Pacific Family Medicine. - 1444-1683 .- 1447-056X. ; 4:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: This article describes a locally developed, two-tiered program of counseling training, aimed at supporting mothers of term, low birth weight infants to exclusively breastfeed from birth to 6 months. Methods: An invitation to attend a mother–child health seminar was sent to 13 health centers in Metropolitan Manila. Level One training consisted of a three-day seminar on postpartum mother–child care conducted by the health staff of the Philippine General Hospital. Level Two of the training, conducted by a certified breastfeeding counselor, consisted of a 40-hour instructional program which used interactive didactics and practical skill workshops which taught the counselors how to prevent and manage breastfeeding problems. Result: Thirty of 37 (81%) women passed Level One training. Fourteen of these 30 women (46.7%) decided to proceed to Level Two training. Eight of the 14 women who had the longest breastfeeding experience were chosen to undergo the Level Two training. All eight women completed the training. Six of the eight (75%) had satisfactory post-training assessment; the remaining two were re-trained and were subsequently assessed to be fit for counseling work. An assessment of post-training competencies showed that counseling knowledge and skills were improved by the training. Further, the intervention demonstrated a 56.6% exclusive breastfeeding rate at six months compared to the national prevalence rate of 1.4%. Conclusion: This training program has increased breastfeeding counseling knowledge as established by increased correct breastfeeding information and appropriate counseling skills observed after the women completed the training.
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| 5. |
- Agrasada, Grace V., et al.
(author)
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When and why Filipino mothers of term low birth weight interrupted breastfeeding exclusively
- 2010
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In: Breastfeeding Review. - : Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia. - 0729-2759. ; 17:3, s. 5-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper makes use of data collected in a randomised controlled trial that was designed to test the efficacy of postpartum breastfeeding counselling to increase exclusive breastfeeding among term low birth weight infants in Manila during the first six months. Mothers were randomised to a control group or one of two home visit interventions: by trained breastfeeding counsellors or child care counsellors without breastfeeding support training. Sixty mothers received peer breastfeeding counselling while a further 119 mothers did not. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who received counselling was five weeks versus two weeks among those who received no counselling (p<0.001). Exclusive breastfeeding was interrupted to offer infants water, traditional herbal extracts or artificial baby milk. Mothers who interrupted exclusive breastfeeding claimed they had insufficient milk or that their infants had slow weight gain. Early and sustained breastfeeding support will enable mothers to exclusively breastfeed low birth weight infants for the first six months.
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