Sharron S Humenick

This article combines data from two separate investigations. One study examined relationships between psychosocial factors and preterm milk immune variables. The other examined relationships between psychosocial and breastfeeding satisfaction factors and perceived milk sufficiency in term mothers. Milk samples were collected on the fifth postpartum day and frozen. Both studies collected data on anxiety, but other psychosocial variables differed. Mood states and social support were ...

The Infant Breast-feeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) was used to assess the time of effective breast feeding in 48 healthy term infants born to mothers having their first or second baby. Infants of mothers who received an analgesia (butorphanol or nalbuphine) in labor (n = 26) were compared with infants whose mothers did not receive any labor analgesia (n = 22). Timing of the administration of labor analgesia was also examined with infants whose mothers received no analgesia or analgesia ...

PURPOSE: To explore maternal responsiveness in the first 2 to 4 months after delivery and to evaluate potential predictors of maternal responsiveness, including infant feeding, maternal characteristics, and demographic factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and educational level.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess the variables of maternal responsiveness, feeding patterns, and maternal characteristics in a convenience sample of 177 mothers in the ...

The purpose of this project was to examine (a) patterns of breastfeeding and (b) duration with parity and breastfeeding experience, and (c) mothers' reasons for termination of breastfeeding. A convenience sample of 120 breastfeeding mothers was followed by home visits and telephone for 20 weeks after delivery. The sample consisted of 69 primiparas, 40 multiparas with previous breastfeeding experience, and 11 multiparas with no prior breastfeeding experience. Parity was not significantly ...

The purpose of this secondary data analysis from two different samples was to examine the effect of early supplementation with manufactured milks on breastfeeding status at 20 weeks postpartum in mothers of healthy term infants. In two convenience samples of 120 and 223, respectively, breastfeeding mothers were followed up for 20 weeks postpartum or until weaning occurred. The breastfeeding rate at 20 weeks postpartum was significantly greater for mothers who reported feeding exclusively ...

The objective of the study was to ascertain the nature of health professional contacts related to breastfeeding for 341 women. Subjects were prospectively queried by phone or home visit over a 20-week period regarding the number and nature of contacts with health care professionals related to breastfeeding. Lactation consultants gave significantly more positive encouragement (98%) (p = .01) than either nurses (75%) or physicians (68%) did. However, of the 233 health provider contacts ...

Subject selection for studies investigating environmental chemicals in human milk requires thoughtful consideration of multiple factors. Studies often need to produce generalizable and representative data that can be compared to other similar studies. Goals of the study determine the selection of subjects. Exposure is only one factor that influences the levels of environmental chemicals in human milk. Many maternal and infant characteristics should be considered in subject selection. ...

Psychometric properties of the H & H Lactation Scale, based on the Insufficient Milk Supply (IMS) conceptual framework, were examined in two separate studies. The two convenience samples consisted of 110 mothers of low-birth-weight (LBW) infants and 120 mothers of healthy term infants. Both groups planned to breastfeed and were actively breastfeeding or pumping to maintain a milk supply. Subscales identified by factor analysis measured three concepts: maternal confidence/commitment to ...

This study describes breast engorgement during days 1-14 postpartum of 114 first and second time vaginal- and cesarean-delivery breastfeeding mothers. Most mothers reported experiencing their most intense engorgement after hospital discharge. Previous breastfeeding experience of the mother is a more critical variable than parity in predicting engorgement. Second time breastfeeding mothers experienced engorgement sooner and more severely than did first time breastfeeding mothers, ...

A review of the literature reveals the phenomenon of insufficient milk supply (IMS) as being the most likely potential problem for the breastfeeding mother. This article discusses possible determinants and indicators of insufficient milk supply and proposes a conceptual definition and model.

The focus of this study was to identify variables that correlate significantly with breast engorgement and that might be amenable to nursing interventions. Data on the initiation of feeding, frequency of feedings, feeding duration, rate of milk maturation, and supplementation were obtained of 54 women. These variables were found to be significantly correlated with breast engorgement.

For 14 days following birth, 114 breastfeeding mothers rated their level of breast engorgement twice daily, using a six-point engorgement scale. Individual engorgement ratings were plotted by intensity over time to provide a visual display of each subject's breast engorgement experience. Four distinct patterns of breast engorgement emerged; mothers experienced either a bell-shaped pattern, a multi-modal pattern, a pattern of intense engorgement, or a pattern of minimal engorgement. ...

ABSTRACT: Milk maturation from colostrum to mature milk occurs at rates that vary from mother to mother. The clinical significance of milk maturation rate is discussed here. Milk samples of 98 mothers were monitored in an observational study using the Maturation Index of Colostrum and Milk (MICAM). Samples were collected with each feeding during hospitalization, twice daily at home through day 7, and on days 14 and 28. Frequency and duration of early feeding were positively associated ...

Sampling bias occurs in research when a large percentage of subjects who are eligible for the study refuse to participate. During Phase I of a two-phase multisite Mother-Baby Feeding Project, approximately 50% of the 235 potential participants at four of five sites declined to enter the study. This report compares subjects who fully participated with those who minimally participated and explores factors related to subjects' refusal to participate. Data regarding sociodemographic data, ...