Documentation of Second-by-Second Breastfeeding Behaviors Using a Novel Method

Abstract

The specific way nursing patterns influence the duration of postpartum amenorrhea is unknown. This may result from the shortcomings of available methods: the daily log and recall. We tested these against a novel method, an event monitor (EM), consisting of a wrist-worn stopwatch that stores events. Exclusively breastfeeding women (n=1 1) were assigned randomly to use each of the three methods twice during a 2-week period surrounding Weeks 4, 8, and 12 postpartum. More nursing episodes were recorded with the EM than log during Week 4 (p<0.03) and Week 8 (p<0.02). EM captured more episodes than recall during all study periods (p<0.004). The EM was considered as acceptable and accurate to mothers as the other methods and, therefore, is a useful option for documenting breastfeeding patterns.