Women's intentions to breastfeed: a population‐based cohort study

Abstract

Objective Given that intention to breastfeed is a strong predictor of breastfeeding initiation and duration, the objectives of this study were to estimate the population-based prevalence and the factors associated with the intention to breastfeed.Design Retrospective population-based cohort study. Population Women who gave birth to live, term, singletons/twins.Methods Patient, healthcare provider, and hospital factors that may be associated with intention to breastfeed were analysed using univariable and multivariable regression.Main outcome measures Population-based prevalence of intention to breastfeed and its associated factors.Results The study included 92 364 women, of whom 78 806 (85.3%) intended to breastfeed. The odds of intending to breastfeed were higher amongst older women with no health problems and women who were cared for exclusively by midwives (adjusted OR 3.64, 95% CI 3.13-4.23). Being pregnant with twins (adjusted OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.94), not attending antenatal classes (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.54-0.62), having previous term or preterm births (adjusted OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.78-0.81, and adjusted OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.82-0.93, respectively), and delivering in a level-1 hospital (adjusted OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.93) were associated with a lower intention to breastfeed.Conclusions In this population-based study~85% of women intended to breastfeed their babies. Key factors that are associated with the intention to breastfeed were identified, which can now be targeted for intervention programmes aimed at increasing the prevalence of breastfeeding and improving overall child and maternal health.

Infant feeding information, attitudes and practices: a longitudinal survey in central Nepal

“…In Nepal, breastfeeding is almost universal with reported rates of 98% and 70% for infants under six months being ever-breastfed and exclusively breastfed, respectively [4]. Breastfeeding attitudes of mothers and their intention to breastfeed are known to be associated with the duration of breastfeeding [5,6]. Such attitude and knowledge of breastfeeding can be affected by maternal, cultural and environmental factors [7-9].…”

To Accommodate or Not to Accommodate: (When) Should the State Regulate Religion to Protect the Rights of Children and Third Parties?

“…Breastfeeding, unlike the metzitzah b'peh practice, potentially carries with it substantial quantifiable health and economic benefits that may outweigh the similarly quantifiable health risks. 513 Further, even if it were in theory sensible to regulate breastfeeding, it would be impossible to do so given the nature of the mother-child relationship in which breastfeeding takes place. 514 It is simply impractical for the law to require mothers to be tested for herpes before being "licensed" to breastfeed their children.…”

Breastfeeding education and support for women with multiple pregnancies

“…Women with multiple pregnancies are known to be less likely to intend to breastfeed, and to be less likely to initiate and sustain breastfeeding compared with those with singleton pregnancies (Lustiv 2013;Yokoyama 2006). Tailored advice on initiating and sustaining breastfeeding or breast milk feeding may be needed for women with multiple pregnancies, particularly in cultures where breastfeeding is not the norm.…”

“…All mothers have to make decisions about how to feed their baby, however mothers of multiples face more challenges feeding their infants than mothers of singletons and may need additional advice and support. Mothers of twins have been found to have lower intention to breastfeed (Lustiv 2013), to be less likely to initiate breastfeeding (Yokoyama 2006), and to be less likely to offer any breastfeeding (Multiple Births Foundation 2011) or to breastfeed exclusively (McAndrew 2012;Multiple Births Foundation 2011). A European study found that overall 36.4% of twins were breastfed at discharge, compared to 39.3% of singleton infants, with the rate of breastfeeding at discharge varying widely between countries (Bonet 2011).…”