High levels of breastmilk feeding despite a low rate of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months in a cohort of vulnerable women in Toronto, Canada

Maternal and Child Nutrition

Erica Di Ruggiero¹  Deborah L. O'Connor²  Alison Mildon²  Jane Francis²  Daniel W. Sellen²  Stacia Stewart³  Yi Man Ng³  Bronwyn Underhill³  Cindy‐Lee Dennis⁴  Christina Rousseau⁵ 

[1] Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada;Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada;Health Promotion and Community Engagement Parkdale‐Queen West Community Health Centre Toronto Ontario Canada;Lawrence‐Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada;The Stop Community Food Centre Toronto Ontario Canada;

关键词: breastfeeding;    breastmilk;    exclusive breastfeeding;    infant and child nutrition;    infant feeding;    infant formula;   

DOI  :  10.1111/mcn.13260

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months is a global public health goal, but measuring its achievement as a marker of population breastmilk feeding practices is insufficient. Additional measures are needed to understand variation in non‐EBF practices and inform intervention priorities. We collected infant feeding data prospectively at seven time points to 6 months post‐partum from a cohort of vulnerable women (n = 151) registered at two Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program sites in Toronto, Canada. Four categories of breastmilk feeding intensity were defined. Descriptive analyses included the (i) proportion of participants in each feeding category by time point, (ii) use of formula and non‐formula supplements to breastmilk, (iii) proportion of participants practising EBF continuously for at least 3 months; and (iv) frequency of transitions between feeding categories. All participants initiated breastmilk feeding with 70% continuing for 6 months. Only 18% practised EBF for 6 months, but 48% did so for at least 3 continuous months. The proportion in the EBF category was highest from 2 to 4 months post‐partum. Supplemental formula use was highest in the first 3 months; early introduction of solids and non‐formula fluids further compromised EBF at 5 and 6 months post‐partum. Most participants (75%) transitioned between categories of breastmilk feeding intensity, with 35% making two or more transitions. Our data show high levels of breastmilk provision despite a low rate of EBF for 6 months. Inclusion of similar analyses in future prospective studies is recommended to provide more nuanced reporting of breastmilk feeding practices and guide intervention designs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown