Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40382664›Full record

Observational studyInternational breastfeeding journal2025

How can we support the individual breastfeeding experience? Quantitative results from a mixed-methods study.

Theresa Philomena Ertlmaier, Oana Costea, Anja Borgmann-Staudt, Monika Berns, Georg Weikert, Mathilde Kersting, Magdalena Balcerek

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in International breastfeeding journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Theresa Philomena ErtlmaierDepartment of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany.
Oana CosteaDepartment of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany.
Anja Borgmann-StaudtDepartment of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany.
Monika BernsDepartment of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany.
Georg WeikertDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, Berlin, 14089, Germany.
Mathilde KerstingResearch Department of Child Nutrition, University Hospital of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
Magdalena BalcerekDepartment of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany. magdalena.balcerek@charite.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the health benefits of breastfeeding only 57% of infants were exclusively breastfed at 4 months postpartum in Germany in 2017-2019. Due to the gap between the actual exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates and recommendations, we aimed at investigating further factors influencing breastfeeding duration.

methodsThis prospective observational study conducted in Berlin, Germany from 11/2022-05/2024 implemented a mixed-methods design with concurrent triangulation. We present quantitative results here. First-time mothers were surveyed at birth and 2, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Breastfeeding status was assessed by asking "How are you currently feeding your child?" and, if anything other than EBF (defined as supply of breastmilk without liquids or solids) was indicated, "I breastfed exclusively until [date]". Maternal perception was assessed by asking "How comfortable do you currently feel with breastfeeding/feeding your child?", with comfort referring to well-being/statisfaction/feeling good (German = wohlfühlen). Obstetric and newborn characteristics were collected from recruiting hospital's health records: an anthroposophic baby-friendly certified hospital (a-BF), a baby-friendly certified hospital (BF) and a university hospital not certified as baby-friendly (non-BF). Data were analysed descriptively and through multivariate analysis.

resultsMost of the 326 participating mothers had initiated breastfeeding in the delivery room (94.7%). Mothers reported EBF for a median duration of 5.7 months, with 76.6% achieving ≥ 4 months. High levels of maternal comfort with breastfeeding 2 months postpartum were significantly associated with an EBF duration ≥ 4 months (aOR 7.25, CI 95% 2.11, 24.9). An intended EBF duration of 4-7 months (aOR 4.08, CI 95% 0.29, 57.77), higher breastfeeding comfort shortly after birth (aOR 1.79, CI 95% 0.49, 6.59), delivery in the a-BF clinic (aOR 1.59, CI 95% 0.41, 6.14) and high satisfaction regarding breastfeeding support in the hospital (aOR 1.39, CI 95% 0.41, 4.70) increased likeliness of EBF ≥ 4 months.

conclusionOur results emphasize the pivotal role of the mother's comfort in the breastfeeding process and it's impact on breastfeeding duration. Strategies to enhace maternal comfort therefore need to be specifically included in maternal care. To explore key aspects of maternal comfort qualitative interviews will address the individual experiences in the breastfeeding journey and identify parent-centred strategies for sustainable breastfeeding.

Indexed as

Breast FeedingMothersAdultFemaleGermanyHumansInfantInfant, NewbornProspective StudiesSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAnthroposophyBaby-friendly hospitalBreastfeedingDurationInfluencing factorsMaternal comfort

Identifiers

PMID40382664
PMCPMC12085814

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.