title: Association between feeding methods and sucking habits: a cross-sectional study of infants in their first 18 months of life.
abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate infant feeding patterns and to analyze the influence of breast-feeding methods on the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits in a sample of Japanese infants. A random sample of 353 mothers of infants of 18 months of age was interviewed at a public health facility in "K" city. The prevalence and duration of infant feeding patterns categorized as breast-feeding, partial breast-feeding, and bottle-feeding, were determined. The outcome investigated was the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits (pacifier use and finger sucking). The data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons to assess possible association between feeding method and non-nutritive sucking behavior. The infants were categorized into the following groups depending on feeding method: breast-feeding (27.2%), partial breast-feeding (32.0%), or bottle-feeding (40.8%). Among all infants, 13.9% used a pacifier, 18.4% sucked their fingers, and 0.3% had both habits at 18 months of age. Breast-feeding was negatively correlated with pacifier use and finger sucking. In contrast, bottle-feeding was strongly associated with pacifier use and finger sucking. These results suggest that breast-feeding provides benefits to infants, and that non-nutritive sucking habits may be avoided by promoting correct breast-feeding practices.
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tokyo Dental College.
authors: Takuro
authors: T
authors: Yonezu
authors: Taiko
authors: T
authors: Arano-Kojima
authors: Kaido
authors: K
authors: Kumazawa
authors: Seikou
authors: S
authors: Shintani
mesh_terms: D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005248:Feeding Methods / Q000145:classification*; D005386:Fingersucking; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*