Neurobehavioral functioning and breastfeeding behavior in the newborn.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether central nervous system functioning has an effect on the normal, term infant's ability to breastfeed in the first day following birth.


METHODS
Breastfeeding behaviors and neurobehaviors were evaluated at birth and at 24 hrs of age in two groups of neonates. One group of neonates was born to mothers who received epidural analgesia during labor, and one group was born to mothers who received no pain medication. Breastfeeding behavior was evaluated using the Preterm Infant Breastfeeding Behavior Scale, and the infant's neurobehaviors were evaluated using the Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Score.


METHODS
Fifty-six breastfeeding mother-newborn dyads. All mothers were healthy multiparae who gave birth vaginally to normal, full-term, healthy newborns.


METHODS
Newborns were observed for rooting, latch-on, sucking, swallowing, activity state, and neurobehavior.


RESULTS
Analysis of the data indicated that the higher the infant scored in relation to neurobehavioral functioning, the higher the infant scored on breast-feeding behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
When determining physiologically what is important for the infant to successfully latch on and feed, it appears that an intact and functioning central nervous system may be one of the crucial elements.
Radzyminski
Sharon
S
School of Nursing, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA. s.radzyminski@csuohio.edu
D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local