title: A longitudinal study of the association between breast-feeding and harmful oral habits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper was to study the pattern of breast-feeding and harmful sucking habits (pacifier- and thumb-sucking) from birth to 12-months-old.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study with 80 newborn infants and their mothers was conducted. A semi-structured  questionnaire on breast-feeding and pacifier- and thumb-sucking behavior was administered during monthly household visits. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exclusive breast-feeding occurred in 50% of infants from birth while 69% of participants were completely  weaned by 12-months-old. Pacifier-sucking was more prevalent than thumb-sucking and was maintained at a higher rate than thumb-sucking throughout the study. The incidence of thumb-sucking was highest between the third and sixth month of life. There was a significant association between a low  rate of breast-feeding and pacifier-sucking at the 12-month visit (chi-square=5.29; P<.05). Thumb-sucking did not significantly correlate with breast-feeding behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of exclusive breast-feeding was lower than that recommended by the World Health Organization.  More than half the infants had a pacifier- and / or thumb-sucking habit during the study, and the incidence of breast-feeding was lower in those who used a pacifier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Social Dentistry Universidade Estadual Paulista, Aracatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suzely Adas Saliba
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moimaz
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lolli
authors.forename: Cléa Adas Saliba
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Garbin
authors.forename: Artênio José Ísper
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Garbin
authors.forename: Nemre Adas
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Saliba
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011446:Prospective Studies