Comparison of LATCH Scores at the Second Day Postpartum between Mothers with Cesarean Sections and Those with Normal Deliveries

Objective: The route of delivery effects on breastfeeding. The LATCH score for assessment of breastfeeding practices have been widely used here in Thailand. LATCH scores greater than 8 correlated with exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 1,316 normal postpartum primiparous women who delivered without complications and their newborns at the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sririndhorn Medical Center in the Nakhon Nayok province during the period from January 2010 to April 2013. The mothers were categorized in two groups; those who delivered by cesarean section and those with normal deliveries. At the first day postpartum, both groups of mother were encouraged to breastfeed their infant. The mothers were assessed LATCH scores at the second day postpartum prior to discharge. Telephone follow-ups at the sixth week postpartum period were collected and used for exclusive breastfeeding data collection. Demographic data and exclusive breastfeeding rates were analyzed by the t-test, Chi-square test, Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and Logistic regression analysis. Results: The data shows that mean of LATCH scores at the second day postpartum were 7.9 ± 1.7 points in cesarean section group and 8.1 ± 1.3 points in normal delivery group. There were statistical differences between the mean in the two groups. the crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio of LATCH scores more than 8 between the cesarean section group as compared with the normal delivery group was 0.67 (95% CI 0.42-0.94) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.690.97). By telephone follow up at the sixth week postpartum the number of exclusive breastfeeding mothers were 369 (56.1%) in cesarean section group and 388 (59.0%) in normal delivery group. The most common of breastfeeding cessation at sixth week postpartum was insufficient breast milk. Conclusion: The mothers with cesarean section deliveries had significantly lower LATCH scores than the mothers with normal deliveries. The adjusted odds ratios of LATCH scores greater than 8 between the mothers with cesarean sections and normal deliveries was 0.8.