Determination of Factors Contributing To Lactation Failure in Discharged Neonates from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of lactation failure and its common contributing factors in Discharged Neonates from a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Study design: Prospective Observational study
Study place and period: Department of Pediatrics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from August, 2025 to February 2026.
Methodology: One hundred and fifty infants were enrolled who presented for routine checkup or vaccination. Mothers were questioned about whether their infants were undergoing exclusive breast feeding or not. Mothers were also asked about lactation failure and their contributing factors. Analysis was done in SPSS 20.0. Frequency and percentage of lactation failure and common contributing factors to lactation failure were calculated.
Results: The mean age of infants was 2.03 ± 1.67 months. There were 76 (50.7%) male infants and 74 (49.3%) female infants. Out of 150 infants, 56 (37.3%) infants had lactation failure. Out of 56 infants with lactation failure, the most common contributing factor of lactation failure was insufficient milk production [42 (75%)], followed by working mother [16 (28.6%)], weak or sick infant [15 (26.8%)], maternal health condition [9 (16.1%)] and twin babies [4 (7.1%)].
Conclusion: It has been concluded that the rate of lactation failure is high in local population and major contributing factor is reduced milk production.
Key words: lactation failure, contributing factors, infants, insufficient milk, maternal health