Breastfeeding Duration: A Survival Analysis—Data from a Regional Immunization Survey

Abstract

Objective. To report the duration of and factors associated with exclusive and any breastfeeding among the French-speaking community of Belgium (Wallonia). Material and Methods. A two-stage cluster sample was drawn from the population of children aged 18–24 months living in the area in 2012. Anamnestic data on breastfeeding and sociodemographic information were collected from 525 mothers. Cox's proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with discontinuing breastfeeding. Results and Discussion. Only 35.1% of the women were satisfied with their duration of any breastfeeding. At 3 months, 54.1% of the infants were breastfed, of which 40.6% exclusively, with these percentages falling to 29.1% and 12.6% at 6 months. Exclusive and any breastfeeding durations were independently positively associated (P < 0.05) with foreign-born mothers, awareness of WHO recommendations, and maternity leave >3 months. Exclusive BF duration was associated with higher parental income and the prenatal decision to breastfeed. The duration of any breastfeeding was associated with the mothers' age of ≥30 years and whether they were exclusively breastfeeding at discharge from the maternity unit. Conclusions. Programs promoting and supporting BF should concentrate on training prenatal health-care professionals. Prenatal professional advice may promote adherence to WHO BF guidelines. The benefits of exclusive BF should be emphasized. Pregnant women should be discouraged from introducing supplementary feeding in the maternity ward.

Maternity or parental leave and breastfeeding duration: Results from the ELFE cohort

“…Also, in the ELFE study, women who postponed their return to work by at least 15 weeks after the end of legal maternity leave were more likely to breastfeed for a long duration. Similarly, returning to work earlier has been associated with shorter breastfeeding duration in previous studies (Bonet et al, 2013;Hawkins et al, 2007a;Mandal et al, 2010;Robert, Coppieters, Swennen, & Dramaix, 2014;Skafida, 2012). Some studies specifically investigated the effect of paid maternity leave on breastfeeding duration.…”

A comparison of exclusive breastfeeding in Belgian maternity facilities with and without Baby‐friendly Hospital status

“…In the Wallonian context, little adequate BF support exists (except for lactation consultants or limited advice available by phone). In an earlier study, we observed that perceived milk insufficiency, breast engorgement, and cracked nipples accounted for more than 45% of reasons for weaning during the first 3 months (Robert, Coppieters, Swennen, & Dramaix, , ). These issues do require trained personnel, which is scarce in Belgium, (Benahmed, ), as in other countries (Morris, ; Pound, Williams, Grenon, Aglipay, & Plint, ; Sims, Long, Tender, & Young, ).…”

Trends in breastfeeding indicators in a city of northeastern Brazil

“…The determinants of BF vary in magnitude and effect between different populations. 5,6 Feira de Santana, in the countryside of the state of Bahia, has been highlighted due to its BF indicators and its work supporting BF. Noteworthy institutions include the city's implementation of the first human milk bank (HMB) in the state and the Breastfeeding Incentive Center (Centro de Incentivo em Aleitamento Materno---CIAMA), references in the state of Bahia, in addition to two IHAC-accredited hospitals, measures that allowed the implementation of actions to promote breastfeeding.…”