Increase of breast-feeding in the past decade in Greece, but still low uptake: cross-sectional studies in 2007 and 2017

Abstract

Objective:To estimate breast-feeding prevalence in Greece in 2007 and 2017, compare breast-feeding indicators and maternity hospital practices between these years, and investigate breast-feeding determinants.Design:Two national cross-sectional studies (2007 and 2017) using systematic cluster sampling of babies with the same sampling design, data collection and analysis methodology.Setting:Telephone interview with babies’ mothers or fathers.Participants:Representative sample of infants who participated in the national neonatal screening programme (n 549 in 2017, n 586 in 2007).Results:We found that breast-feeding indicators were higher in 2017 compared with 10 years before. In 2017, 94 % of mothers initiated breast-feeding. Breast-feeding rates were 80, 56 and 45 % by the end of the 1st, 4th and 6th completed month of age, respectively. At the same ages, 40, 25 and <1 % of babies, respectively, were exclusively breast-feeding. We also found early introduction of solid foods (after the 4th month of age). Maternity hospital practices favouring breast-feeding were more prevalent in 2017, but still suboptimal (63 % experienced rooming-in; 51 % experienced skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth; 19 % received free sample of infant formula on discharge).Conclusions:We observed an increasing trend in all breast-feeding indicators in the past decade in Greece, but breast-feeding rates – particularly rates of exclusive breast-feeding – remain low. Systematic public health initiatives targeted to health professionals and mothers are needed in order to change the prevailing baby feeding ‘culture’ and successfully implement the WHO recommendations for exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life.

Association between Breastfeeding Duration and Long-Term Midwifery-Led Support and Psychosocial Support: Outcomes from a Greek Non-Randomized Controlled Perinatal Health Intervention

“…These data coincide with the prevalence rate of breastfeeding (94.2%) during the first 24 h after birth (either exclusively at 65.8% or any breastfeeding at 28.4%), that was found in the most recent Pan-Hellenic study on breastfeeding, conducted in Greece in 2017, in which 549 dyads participated (mother/father and infant) [ 26 , 27 ]. Regarding the following months, the comparison of the results of this research with those of the Pan-Hellenic research of 2017 presents some remarkable findings, which are mentioned below: (a) At the end of the 1st month postpartum: in this study, the percentage of any breastfeeding remains exactly the same (96.5%) as in the 1st day in hospital, while in the Pan-Hellenic research, it appears to have decreased (79.9% versus 94.2% in the first 24 h postpartum) [ 26 ]. (b) At the end of the 1st month postpartum: in this study, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding remains at the same level as in the 1st day after birth (74.7% vs. 70.7%), while in the Pan-Hellenic research, it is decreased (40% vs. 65.8% in the 1st day postpartum) [ 26 ].…”

“…Regarding the following months, the comparison of the results of this research with those of the Pan-Hellenic research of 2017 presents some remarkable findings, which are mentioned below: (a) At the end of the 1st month postpartum: in this study, the percentage of any breastfeeding remains exactly the same (96.5%) as in the 1st day in hospital, while in the Pan-Hellenic research, it appears to have decreased (79.9% versus 94.2% in the first 24 h postpartum) [ 26 ]. (b) At the end of the 1st month postpartum: in this study, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding remains at the same level as in the 1st day after birth (74.7% vs. 70.7%), while in the Pan-Hellenic research, it is decreased (40% vs. 65.8% in the 1st day postpartum) [ 26 ]. (c) At the end of the 6th month postpartum (regarding exclusive breastfeeding): in this study, approximately half of the women (44.3%) were breastfeeding exclusively, while the corresponding prevalence in the Pan-Hellenic survey was minimal (0.78%) [ 26 , 27 ].…”

“…(c) At the end of the 6th month postpartum (regarding exclusive breastfeeding): in this study, approximately half of the women (44.3%) were breastfeeding exclusively, while the corresponding prevalence in the Pan-Hellenic survey was minimal (0.78%) [ 26 , 27 ]. (d) At the end of the 6th month postpartum (regarding any breastfeeding): in this study, approximately 70% of all women continued any breastfeeding compared with only 45.4% in the Pan-Hellenic survey [ 26 ]. (e) At the end of the 6th month postpartum (regarding breastfeeding without giving any formula): in this study, slightly more than half of all women (56.1%) continued breastfeeding without giving any formula compared to only 23.5% in the Pan-Hellenic survey [ 26 ].…”

“…(b) At the end of the 1st month postpartum: in this study, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding remains at the same level as in the 1st day after birth (74.7% vs. 70.7%), while in the Pan-Hellenic research, it is decreased (40% vs. 65.8% in the 1st day postpartum) [ 26 ]. (c) At the end of the 6th month postpartum (regarding exclusive breastfeeding): in this study, approximately half of the women (44.3%) were breastfeeding exclusively, while the corresponding prevalence in the Pan-Hellenic survey was minimal (0.78%) [ 26 , 27 ]. (d) At the end of the 6th month postpartum (regarding any breastfeeding): in this study, approximately 70% of all women continued any breastfeeding compared with only 45.4% in the Pan-Hellenic survey [ 26 ].…”

“…The role of such breastfeeding interventions is worth exploring, especially in countries with unsatisfactory breastfeeding rates, including Greece. Although in the last decade in Greece, important steps have been taken at the institutional and social level that have brought positive changes in the epidemiological indicators of breastfeeding [ 26 , 27 ], the reality is still far from the recommendations of international organizations [ 27 , 28 ], since the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at the end of the 6th month remain at a very low level (<1%) [ 27 ]. The investigation of the factors associated with the exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding has a particular value, as it offers new knowledge which would be useful for the designing of new strategies and interventions that act to support and promote breastfeeding.…”