Secular trends in infant feeding practices during the first year of life in Norway: findings from 1998 to 2019 – the Spedkost surveys

Abstract

Aims of the present study were to assess secular trends in breastfeeding and to explore associations between age at introduction of solid foods and breastfeeding duration. Data from three national dietary surveys in Norway were used, including infants born in 1998 (Spedkost 1, n = 1537), 2006 (Spedkost 2, n = 1490) and 2018 (Spedkost 3, n = 1831). In all surveys, around 80% of the infants were breastfed at 6 months of age. At 12 months of age, breastfeeding rate was 41% in Spedkost 1, increasing to 48% in Spedkost 2 and 51% in Spedkost 3. Compared to earlier introduction, introduction of solid foods at ≥ 5 months of age was associated with a lower risk of breastfeeding cessation during the first year of life in the two most recent Spedkost surveys. In Spedkost 2, the adjusted hazard ratio for breastfeeding cessation during the first year of life for those introduced to solid foods at ≥ 5 months of age was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.60), p <0.001, while the corresponding number in Spedkost 3 was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.67), p <0.001. In conclusion, breastfeeding at infant age 12 months increased over time. Introduction of solid foods at ≥ 5 months of age was positively associated with breastfeeding duration in the two most recent Spedkost surveys. As breastfeeding contributes to numerous health benefits for infant and mother, and possibly improved dietary sustainability in infancy, findings point to the importance of continued protection, support, and promotion of breastfeeding.