Duration of Breast-feeding Patterns Established in the Hospital

Abstract

Data from a national survey of new mothers were analyzed to determine the effect that demographic characteristics, breast-feeding instructions, and infant formula discharge kits had on breast-feeding patterns established in the hospital. Results indicated that mothers who exclusively breast-fed their infant were more likely to be affluent, college educated, and not working outside the home. Mothers who exclusively breast-fed their infants in the hospital and subsequently practiced partial breast-feeding or formula, or cow's milk feeding were more likely to return to the work force within the first 6 postpartum months. Mothers who partially breast-fed their infants in the hospital were more likely to have a low-birth-weight neonate. Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that greater total family income, a better education, and having more than one child had positive significant effects on exclusive breast-feeding by the first and fourth month. Women who received a formula discharge kit compared with those who did not had a slightly higher probability of initiating partial breast-feeding (10 vs. 7% by the first month; 27 vs. 25% by the fourth month). Maternal employment had a large impact on duration of exclusive breast-feeding. By the fourth month, mothers who were employed had a higher probability of initiating partial breast-feeding (43 vs. 19%) compared with mothers who were not in the work force.

Breast-feeding in Iceland

“…This study shows results similar to those obtained in other countries regarding other possible factors predicting breast-feeding (4,5,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). Older women do breast-feed their babies longer than the younger ones, and in this study it was more likely that mothers breast-fed their second baby longer than the first one.…”

“…The present investigation showed that infants in Iceland are breast-fed as long as or longer than in other developed countries (4,5,(10)(11)(12). This trend is probably the result of the increasing propaganda for breast-feeding and maintaining good health as well as education by health personnel and support for breast-feeding.…”

Effects of Parity and Weaning Practices on Breastfeeding Duration

“…Although not well identified in the literature, parity does seem to play a role in the duration of breastfeeding. Findings from several studies suggest that multiparous women breastfeed longer when compared to primiparous women (Hawkins et al, 1987;Jones et al, 1986;Ryan, Wysong, Martinez, & Simon, 1990;Whichelow, 1982). Parity was significantly related to an increased duration of breastfeeding at 16 weeks' postpartum, but not at 12 and 20 weeks' (West, 1980).…”

Intention to Breastfeed in Low‐Income Pregnant Women: The Role of Social Support and Previous Experience

“…Demographic characteristics positively associated with breastfeeding include non-African American ethnicity (6,7), higher educational attainment (8,9), older maternal age (6,8), and being married (8,10). However, inconsistent, incomplete, and incon-clusive information exists regarding the relationship between breastfeeding intention and parity (6,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15), earlier use of prenatal care services (16), and previous breastfeeding experience (14).…”