All issues > Volume 51(4); 2008

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2008;51(4):362-366. Published online April 15, 2008.

Predisposing factors to nipple confusion

Ji Hyun JH Kim¹, Og Ryeon OR Cha², Yu Kyung YK Seo¹, Sun Ju SJ Lee¹, Sung Min SM Cho¹, Byung Chan BC Park³

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea
²Department of nursing, Korea National Open University, Korea
³Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea

Correspondence Sun Ju SJ Lee ,Email: yeonseung@dongguk.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: The purpose of this study is to investigate the predisposing factors for nipple confusion by using questionnaires.
Methods
: From October, 2005 to October, 2006, we performed a survey on guardians of neonates who had been admitted to the nursery at Dongguk University Medical Center and were discharged 10 to 14 days before the survey. We reviewed their medical records retrospectively. The neonates were categorized into two groups; nipple-unconfused group and nipple- confused group.
Results
: There were 71 neonates in the nipple-unconfused group and 29 neonates in the nipple-confused group. In the nipple-confused group, 12 neonates (41.4%) had nipple-suckling experience before admission, whereas in the nipple-unconfused group, 54 neonates (76.1%) had nipple-suckling experience before admission; showing a difference that was statistically significant (P=0.001). Regarding to breast-feeding experience before admission, 11 neonates (37.9%) had experience in the nipple-confused group, whereas 49 neonates (69.0%) had in the nipple-unconfused group. This also showed a statistically significant difference (P=0.004). However, the relationship between the duration of breast-feeding prior to hospitalization was not different (P=0.151).
Conclusion
: In this study, we believe that the suckling experience and the breast-feeding of neonates before admission may be factors affecting the development of nipple confusion. This study particularly revealed that neonates who had only nipple suckling experience, regardless of breast-feeding, had less nipple confusion. Thus, allowing neonates enough time to make an attempt at nipple suckling may be helpful to prevent nipple confusion.

Keywords :Nipple, Confusion, Breast feeding