Have we left some behind? Trends in socio-economic inequalities in breastfeeding initiation: A population-based epidemiological surveillance study

Exclusive breastfeeding in hospital predicts longer breastfeeding duration in Canada: Implications for health equity

“…23 In the general population, formula supplementation during the postpartum hospital stay delays breastfeeding initiation, 24 interferes with the normal frequency of breastfeeding 25,26 and reduces maternal confidence in her ability to breastfeed, 27 which may lead to continuation of supplemental feedings after the hospital stay. 28 This study sought to describe associations between early breastfeeding exclusivity and long-term breastfeeding duration in a national cohort of Canadian children followed from birth until 2 years of age. 16 However, in some populations, such interventions may not benefit all women equally and therefore may not effectively reduce, and may even exacerbate, inequalities.…”

Protocol for establishing an infant feeding database linkable with population-based administrative data: a prospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada

“…Just over 80% of mother-infant dyads initiate breast feeding during the birth hospital stay; however, initiation rates follow a socioeconomic gradient where low-income dyads are less likely to initiate breast feeding compared with their higher income counterparts. [13][14][15] A unique and advantageous feature of establishing an infant-feeding database in Manitoba is our ability to link the new Manitoba Infant Feeding Database to the established Manitoba Population Research Data Repository. 34 35 The Repository contains more than 30 years of population-based, individual-level information on all (Go to question 4) 4.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12] However, in spite of extensive public health efforts to support breast feeding, two challenges remain: (1) many mothers do not achieve their own breastfeeding goals and (2) inequities in breastfeeding outcomes persist between mother-baby dyads living in marginalised circumstances and their more advantaged counterparts. [13][14][15] Findings from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey showed ► This study is among the first to establish a mechanism for collecting infant-feeding data at a population level in Canada, providing longitudinal data to study the impact of policy, programme and services on infant-feeding practices. ► Our ability to link the infant-feeding database with a large repository of administrative data spanning several domains increases the number of confounding characteristics we can adjust for in our analyses.…”

Changes in breastfeeding initiation at hospital discharge between first and second births in Nova Scotia: a population-based cohort study

“…6 Numerous studies have been conducted to identify factors associated with breastfeeding initiation. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Factors found to be associated with breastfeeding initiation included increasing maternal age, 7 exclusive prenatal care by midwives, 7 continued support from professionals such as lactation consultants and peers, 9,10 sociodemographic factors such as higher levels of education, married or common-law status 17 and higher household incomes. 13 Factors associated with lower rates of breastfeeding initiation were multiple births, preterm birth, not attending antenatal classes, 6 having a high body mass index (BMI) 9,10 and being an adolescent parent.…”

“…13 Factors associated with lower rates of breastfeeding initiation were multiple births, preterm birth, not attending antenatal classes, 6 having a high body mass index (BMI) 9,10 and being an adolescent parent. 9,12,14,15 These factors relate to breastfeeding status for a single pregnancy and do not consider reasons for changes in breastfeeding status between 2 pregnancies. Some studies have investigated maternal and obstetric factors associated with breastfeeding across multiple pregnancies.…”