[Breast feeding and birth of twins].

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the breast-feeding (BF) situation after birth of twins and find what factors affect the decision to breast-feed, its length and the reasons for stopping it.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational study.

SETTING

Sabadell Hospital, Barcelona.

PARTICIPANTS

All the women who gave birth to twins between January 1994 and June 1997 (n = 72).

MAIN

RESULTS

64 women (88.9%) began BF. It was exclusive in 37 cases (57.8%) and mixed in the other 27 (42.2%). The main reason for choice was "better feeding" (100% of cases). The age of mothers, the type of birth, the weight of the children, admissions to the New-born Baby Department, work situation, mother's educational qualifications and the existence of domestic help affected neither initial breast-feeding nor its length. Women with prior counselling started BF in greater numbers than those not counselled (p = 0.026). Almost half of them received the information through the matron or nurse. Mean length of BF was 102 days. After two months, half of those who began BF were still breast-feeding; and at four months, 26.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a high level of starting breast-feeding after twin births, almost the same as for single births. Women with previous knowledge of the question are more likely to breast-feed. The length of BF is slightly greater in the studies reviewed. Adequate prenatal, postnatal and puerperal support from health-workers can have a positive effect on the success of BF after twin births.