OBJECTIVE: To investigate infant feeding practices in a group of Caucasian infants from Dunedin, New Zealand. DESIGN: Prospective study of infants to 12 months of age. A self-selected sample of 74 Caucasian mothers and their infants born in Dunedin, New Zealand between October 1995 and May 1996. Regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with successful breastfeeding initiation and duration. RESULTS: Eighty-eight percent of the mothers initiated breastfeeding, 42% were exclusively breastfeeding at three months, and 34% were partially breastfeeding at 12 months. Being married or in a de facto relationship increased the likelihood of successful breastfeeding initiation, as did intending to breastfeed. Mothers who reported that they did not have enough breastmilk tended to exclusively breastfeed for a shorter period of time. Tertiary education and exclusively breastfeeding at one month were associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. The feeling that breastfeeding in public was embarrassing was associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding. Forty-five percent of infants were given non-milk foods before four months of age, and 69% were given unmodified cow's milk as a beverage before 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding rates in this study, although higher than many Western countries, were still lower than current recommendations. This study suggests that issues of increasing breastmilk supply, and risks associated with introducing non-milk foods before four months, and cows' milk as a beverage before twelve months should be emphasized to parents. Society also needs to address the social issue of embarrassment many mothers feel when breastfeeding in public.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. List 2 factors associated with breastfeeding duration in this population; 2. Identify 2 factors identified in this study which do not conform to national and international recommendations for breastfeeding and weaning of infants
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Infant Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.