Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Initiation: A Comparison between France and French-Speaking Canada

Abstract

BackgroundBreastfeeding is associated with multiple domains of health for both mothers and children. Nevertheless, breastfeeding initiation is low within certain developed countries. Furthermore, comparative studies of initiation rates using harmonised data across multiple regions is scarce.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate and compare individual-level determinants of breastfeeding initiation using two French-speaking cohorts.MethodsParticipants included ~ 3,900 mothers enrolled in two cohort studies in Canada and France. Interviews, questionnaires, and medical records were utilised to collect information on maternal, family, and medical factors associated with breastfeeding initiation.ResultsRates of breastfeeding initiation were similar across cohorts, slightly above 70%. Women in both Canada and France who had higher levels of maternal education, were born outside of their respective countries and who did not smoke during pregnancy were more likely to initiate breastfeeding with the cohort infant. Notably, cohort effects of maternal education at the university level were found, whereby having ‘some university’ was not statistically significant for mothers in France. Further, younger mothers in Canada, who delivered by caesarean section and who had previous children, had reduced odds of breastfeeding initiation. These results were not found for mothers in France.Conclusions and Implications for PracticeWhile some similar determinants were observed, programming efforts to increase breastfeeding initiation should be tailored to the characteristics of specific geographical regions which may be heavily impacted by the social, cultural and political climate of the region, in addition to individual and family level factors.

Breastfeeding and externalising problems: a quasi-experimental design with a national cohort

“…Moreover, the issue of causality remains open due to the high reliance on observational studies. For instance, mothers who breastfeed typically have higher levels of education and engage in less risky prenatal behaviours (e.g., smoking) [e.g., 22 ]. These same characteristics are also associated with children’s behavioural outcomes [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Clinical Characteristics of a Group of Cameroonian Neonates with Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation

“…Possible reasons to this discrepancy may be a low level of education and a weakness of antenatal counselling, as far as the necessity to promptly initiate breastfeeding is concerned. More so, increasing women job occupation, adopted cultures of breastmilk substitution with formula, and the hyper "sexualization" of the breast to the detriment of its lactation function may have this adverse effect of reducing adequate breastfeeding practices among African women [7,9,[13][14][15][16][17][18]. The end result of these new habits in African women, could be responsible for reduced neonatal protection in terms of food security and immunity.…”

Relationships of Cultural Dimensions and Lactation Patterns

“…in Isfahan province, Iran 12 . Published statistics indicate different rates of breastfeeding not only across different countries, but also between cultures of a country 13 . Findings of studies indicate that breastfeeding can be influenced by various factors such as individual, mental-social, and cultural factors [14][15][16] .…”

“…Findings of studies indicate that breastfeeding can be influenced by various factors such as individual, mental-social, and cultural factors [14][15][16] . Despite the fact that effects of some of these factors, including individual factors on breast feeding, have been frequently investigated, factors related to culture have been less examined 13 . Results of a research by Castilho et al indicated that breastfeeding was affected by cultural values, beliefs, and customs, leading to changes in breastfeeding 17 .…”