Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study

Background: The use of pacifiers is commonplace in Australia and has been shown to be negatively associated with breastfeeding duration. In order to influence behaviour related to the use of pacifiers it is important to understand the reasons for their use. The primary aim of this observational stud...

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Main Authors: Mauch, C., Scott, Jane, Magarey, A., Daniels, L.
Format: Journal Article
Published: BioMed Central 2012
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/12/7
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33777
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author Mauch, C.
Scott, Jane
Magarey, A.
Daniels, L.
author_facet Mauch, C.
Scott, Jane
Magarey, A.
Daniels, L.
author_sort Mauch, C.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: The use of pacifiers is commonplace in Australia and has been shown to be negatively associated with breastfeeding duration. In order to influence behaviour related to the use of pacifiers it is important to understand the reasons for their use. The primary aim of this observational study was to investigate who (if anyone) advises first-time mothers to give a pacifier and the reasons for which they first give (or try to give) a pacifier to their infant. Additionally, this study investigated the predictors of pacifier use and the relationship between pacifier use and breastfeeding duration.Methods: In total, 670 Australian first-time mothers recruited as part of the NOURISH trial completed aquestionnaire regarding infant feeding and pacifier use.Results: Pacifiers were introduced by 79% of mothers, of whom 28.7% were advised to use a pacifier by their mother/mother-in-law with a further 22.7% being advised by a midwife. The majority of mothers used a pacifier in order to soothe their infant (78.3%), to help put them to sleep (57.4%) and to keep them comforted and quiet (40.4%). Pacifiers given to infants before four weeks (adjHR 3.67; 95%CI 2.14-6.28) and used most days (adjHR 3.28; 95%CI 1.92-5.61) were significantly associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding.Conclusions: This study identifies an opportunity for educating new mothers and their support network,particularly their infant’s grandmothers, with regards to potential risks associated with the early and frequent use of a pacifier, and alternative methods for soothing their infant, in order to reduce the use of pacifiers and their potentially negative effect on breastfeeding duration.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-337772017-02-28T01:52:17Z Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study Mauch, C. Scott, Jane Magarey, A. Daniels, L. Background: The use of pacifiers is commonplace in Australia and has been shown to be negatively associated with breastfeeding duration. In order to influence behaviour related to the use of pacifiers it is important to understand the reasons for their use. The primary aim of this observational study was to investigate who (if anyone) advises first-time mothers to give a pacifier and the reasons for which they first give (or try to give) a pacifier to their infant. Additionally, this study investigated the predictors of pacifier use and the relationship between pacifier use and breastfeeding duration.Methods: In total, 670 Australian first-time mothers recruited as part of the NOURISH trial completed aquestionnaire regarding infant feeding and pacifier use.Results: Pacifiers were introduced by 79% of mothers, of whom 28.7% were advised to use a pacifier by their mother/mother-in-law with a further 22.7% being advised by a midwife. The majority of mothers used a pacifier in order to soothe their infant (78.3%), to help put them to sleep (57.4%) and to keep them comforted and quiet (40.4%). Pacifiers given to infants before four weeks (adjHR 3.67; 95%CI 2.14-6.28) and used most days (adjHR 3.28; 95%CI 1.92-5.61) were significantly associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding.Conclusions: This study identifies an opportunity for educating new mothers and their support network,particularly their infant’s grandmothers, with regards to potential risks associated with the early and frequent use of a pacifier, and alternative methods for soothing their infant, in order to reduce the use of pacifiers and their potentially negative effect on breastfeeding duration. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33777 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/12/7 BioMed Central restricted
spellingShingle Mauch, C.
Scott, Jane
Magarey, A.
Daniels, L.
Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study
title Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study
title_full Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study
title_fullStr Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study
title_full_unstemmed Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study
title_short Predictors of and Reasons for Pacifier Use in First-Time Mothers: an Observational Study
title_sort predictors of and reasons for pacifier use in first-time mothers: an observational study
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/12/7
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33777