Factors associated with feeding behavior in the early neonatal period focusing on early skin-to-skin contact and epidural analgesia: A prospective observational study at a single hospital in Japan

Background

The feeding behavior of newborns is influenced by the conditions of both the mother and newborn before and after birth.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with newborn feeding behavior, focusing on skin-to-skin contact (SSC) as a promoting factor and epidural analgesia as an inhibiting factor, using the Japanese version of the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT).

Study Design

Prospective observational study conducted in Japan.

Participants

A total of 176 pairs of healthy mothers and their healthy full-term newborns.

Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was newborn feeding behaviors measured using the Japanese version of IBFAT within about one day of birth. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between IBFAT scores and variables that might influence newborn feeding behavior.

Results

Multiple regression analysis revealed that lower IBFAT scores were associated with a higher dose of epidural fentanyl (β = −0.40), and higher IBFAT scores were associated with a longer duration of SSC (β = 0.26), even after adjusting for gestational weeks and Apgar scores. The dose and duration of synthetic oxytocin administration were not associated with IBFAT scores in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our study showed a dose-dependent relationship between fentanyl and SSC, suggesting that consistently implementing SSC for the maximum duration possible may enhance newborn feeding behaviors, which are reduced by fentanyl administration.